PRIOR

Lat The former; earlier; preceding; preferable or preferred. -Prior petens, The person first applying. PRIOR, n. The chief of a convent; nex11 in dignity to an abbot. PRIOR, adj. Earlier; elder; preceding;, superior in rank, right, or time; as, a prior lien, mortgage, or judgment. See Fidelity, etc., Safe Deposit Co. v. Roanoke Iron Co. (C. C.) 81 Fed. 447. Prior tempore potior Jure, He who 11 first in time is preferred in right. Co. Litt. 14a; Broom. MaL 354. 358. [s. 946]