Before; earlier than; preceding in time - a formal alternative to the simple word 'before.'
Borrowed from Latin 'prior' meaning 'former' or 'earlier,' this phrase entered English through legal and academic writing where Latinate constructions were preferred for their perceived precision and formality.
This is a perfect example of 'linguistic snobbery' - using a fancy Latin phrase when the simple English word 'before' works just as well! It shows how institutions often prefer complex language to signal sophistication, even when clarity suffers.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.