prest

1
[ prest ]

adjectiveObsolete.

Origin of prest

1
1250–1300; Middle English <Old French <Late Latin praestus ready. See presto

Words Nearby prest

Other definitions for prest (2 of 2)

prest2
[ prest ]

nounObsolete.
  1. a loan.

  2. an advance payment on wages.

Origin of prest

2
1400–50; late Middle English prest(e) <Middle French prest,Old French, noun derivative of prester to lend <Latin praestāre to perform, vouch for, excel (Medieval Latin: to lend), literally, to stand in front. See pre-, stand

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use prest in a sentence

  • Hann sagi til hit sanna, ok ba sœkja prest ok kvaz vildu finna hann.

    Beowulf | R. W. Chambers

British Dictionary definitions for prest (1 of 2)

prest1

/ (prɛst) /


adjective
  1. obsolete prepared for action or use; ready

Origin of prest

1
C13: via Old French from Late Latin praestus ready to hand; see presto

British Dictionary definitions for prest (2 of 2)

prest2

/ (prɛst) /


noun
  1. obsolete a loan of money

Origin of prest

2
C16: originally, loan money offered as an inducement to recruits, from Old French: advance pay in the army, from prester to lend, from Latin praestāre to provide, from prae before + stāre to stand

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