What does prest mean?
A prest was an advance payment: money given to someone before goods were delivered, work was completed, or a debt was settled. In older usage, the word could also refer broadly to ready money or payment on credit, contrasting with money paid after a transaction. It is consequently associated with old commercial arrangements, contracts, ledgers, and accounts in which payments were recorded before the final exchange of goods or services. The related adjective, now especially Scottish and archaic, means “former” or “previous,” as in a reference to a person’s predecessor. Although no longer part of ordinary contemporary English, “prest” preserves a useful historical distinction between money available immediately and payment deferred. The noun developed through Middle English from an Old French term for a loan or advance, ultimately tracing back to Latin praestare, “to furnish” or “lend.”
An advance payment or loan, especially money paid before goods are delivered; formerly, ready money or payment on credit.
"The goods were released only after the customer had paid a small prest."
Archaic and uncommon in modern English. It is especially likely to appear in historical, legal, or literary contexts.
Former, previous, or belonging to an earlier time.
"The prest owner of the estate wrote a lengthy account of its history."
Chiefly Scottish and archaic; now normally replaced by “former” or “previous.”
Rarely used; the plural survives mainly in historical records. The noun also occurs as a mass noun in expressions such as “in prest.”
"The ledger contained several prests paid to local craftsmen."
Once a familiar word for money handed over before a transaction was complete, “prest” now survives mainly in old ledgers, contracts, and stories of bygone commerce.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of prest
The noun developed through Middle English from Old French prest, meaning an advance or loan. This was ultimately borrowed from Latin praestāre, “to furnish, provide, or lend.” The separate adjective meaning “former” or “previous” is especially associated with Scottish and northern English usage and is now largely obsolete.
How prest is actually used
The noun is archaic and uncommon in modern speech. The adjective meaning “former” or “previous” is especially associated with Scottish and older literary usage.