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priority

8 dictionary results for: priority

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

pri·or·i·ty

[prahy-awr-i-tee, -or-] Pronunciation Key noun, plural -ties for 2–4.

1.	the state or quality of being earlier in time, occurrence, etc.

2.	the right to precede others in order, rank, privilege, etc.; precedence.

3.	the right to take precedence in obtaining certain supplies, services, facilities, etc., esp. during a shortage.

4.	something given special attention.

–adjective

5.	highest or higher in importance, rank, privilege, etc.: a priority task.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME < MF priorite < ML priōritās. See prior¹, -ity

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

pri·or·i·ty (prī-ôr'ĭ-tē, -ŏr'-) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. pri·or·i·ties

Precedence, especially established by order of importance or urgency.
1. An established right to precedence.
2. An authoritative rating that establishes such precedence.
A preceding or coming earlier in time.
Something afforded or deserving prior attention.

[Middle English priorite, from Old French, from Medieval Latin priōritās, from Latin prior, first; see prior².]

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
priority

1387, from O.Fr. priorite (14c.), from M.L. prioritatem (nom. prioritas) "fact or condition of being prior," from L. prior (see prior (adj.)). Prioritize is first recorded 1973, apparently coined during the 1972 U.S. presidential election.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

priority
noun
1.	status established in order of importance or urgency; "...its precedence as the world's leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals"; "national independence takes priority over class struggle" [syn: precedence]
2.	preceding in time [ant: posteriority]

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Wallstreet Words - Cite This Source - Share This

priority

The preference received by a bid or offer entered first in an auction market. Regardless of size, the first offer has priority if a transaction occurs at the price specified by the order.

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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: pri·or·i·ty
Pronunciation: prI-'or-&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ties
: precedence in exercise of rights in the same subject matter priority over unsecured ones>

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