adj.优先的；在前的；更重要的
adv.居先；在前
He feels a prior obligation to his job as a journalist. 他觉得要优先为他的新闻记者的工作尽职。
Generally speaking, individuals who first appropriate part of a water supply have prior claim over those whose appropriation is later in time. 一般来说，先使用水资源的人比后使用者拥有更优先的权利。
The offer is subject to prior sale. 该报盘以未售出前为准。
His answer was tinted by his prior knowledge. 他的回答说明他先前就有所了解。
This task is prior to all others. 这项任务比所有其他任务都重要。
Constitution is prior to all other laws. 宪法比其他一切法律都重要。
用作副词 (adv.)The presiding judge can view the arguments of counsel with understanding, for he may have used them himself on a prior day. 首席法官可以清楚地理解律师的论点，因为可能就在前一天他自己也在运用它们。
