In a monastery, the monk who is the nominal "second-in-command" to the Abbot, who is in turn the head of the monastery and/or the monastic order that lives there.

A Prior had as much or as little authority as the Abbot gave him, but was usually fairly powerful. The Prior had charge of the monastery while the Abbot was away from the grounds.

See also Claustral.

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.