prior
n.n. happening or existing before something else. You use this to describe things that came first in time or order.
n. existing or occurring before in time, order, or importance. Frequently used in formal or legal contexts to establish a sequence of events.
I have a prior commitment this evening.
The applicant was rejected because they lacked prior experience in the software industry.
The court ruled that the defendant's prior convictions were inadmissible as evidence during the current trial to avoid biasing the jury.
From Middle English Prior, Priur (surname), from Middle English prior, priour (“prior”). More at prior.
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; often used with 'to' when functioning as a prepositional phrase.
prior than the meetingprior to the meetingWhen used to mean 'before', this word must be followed by 'to' rather than 'than'.