PRIORLY

Etymology

Adverb

priorly (not comparable)

(archaic) previously

Source: Wiktionary

Pri"or*ly, adv.

Definition: Previously. [R.] Geddes.

PRIOR

Pri"or, a. Etym: [L. prior former, previous, better, superior; compar. corresponding to primus first, and pro for. See Former, and cf. Prime, a., and Pre-, Pro-.]

Definition: Preceding in the order of time; former; antecedent; anterior; previous; as, a prior discovery; prior obligation; -- used elliptically in cases like the following: he lived alone [in the time] prior to his marriage.

Pri"or, n. Etym: [OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F. prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See Prior, a.] (Eccl.)

Definition: The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity. Conventical, or Conventual, prior, a prior who is at the head of his own house. See the Note under Priory.

– Claustral prior, an official next in rank to the abbot in a monastery; prior of the cloisters.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition