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 Prior \Pri"or\, n. [OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F.
   prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See {Prior}, a.]
   1. (Eccl.) The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot
      in dignity.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. a chief magistrate, as in the republic of Florence in the
      middle ages. --[RHUD]
      [PJC]

   {Conventical prior}, 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.
      [1913 Webster]