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obliges parishes to support the poor offers a premium for the encouragement of idleness. Franklin.

Precedence; preëminence; first rank. [Obs.] Then give me leave to have prerogative. Shak.

Specifically, neighborhood to the person of one of superior of exalted rank; also, presence chamber. In such a presence here to plead my thoughts. Shak. An't please your grace, the two great cardinals. Wait in the presence. Shak.

Occupying the first rank or chief place; having the highest authority; presiding. [R.] His angels president In every province. Milton.

uid. It is a thrust which is normal and equally intense in all directions around a point. Rankine. -- Pressure gauge, a gauge for indicating fluid pressure; a manometer.

self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank, etc., which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others. Those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Dan. iv. 37. Pride that dines on vanity sups on contempt. Franklin.…

The state or condition of being prime or first, as in time, place, rank, etc., hence, excellency; supremacy. [R.] De Quincey.

That which stands first in order, rank, or importance; a chief matter.

First in rank, degree, dignity, authority, or importance; as, prime minister. "Prime virtues." Dryden.

The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and authority; a sovereign; a monarch; -- originally applied to either sex, but now rarely applied to a female. Wyclif (Rev. i. 5). Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince. Milton. Queen Elizabeth, a prince admirable above her sex. Camden.

The jurisdiction, sovereignty, rank, or estate of a prince. Thrones, princedoms, powers, dominions, I reduce. Milton.

Of or relating to a prince; regal; royal; of highest rank or authority; as, princely birth, character, fortune, etc.

A female prince; a woman having sovereign power, or the rank of a prince. Dryden. So excellent a princess as the present queen. Swift.

Highest in rank, authority, character, importance, or degree; most considerable or important; chief; main; as, the principal officers of a Government; the principal men of a state; the principal productions of a country; the principal arguments in a case. Wisdom is the principal thing. Prov. iv. 7.

To dress or adjust one's self for show; to prank.

ead of his own house. See the Note under Priory. -- Claustral prior, an official next in rank to the abbot in a monastery; prior of the cloisters.

Precedence; superior rank. Shak. Priority of debts, a superior claim to payment, or a claim to payment before others.

The act of depriving, or taking away; hence, the depriving of rank or office; degradation in rank; deprivation. Bacon.

To exalt in station, rank, or honor; to elevate; to raise; to prefer; to advance; as, to promote an officer. I will promote thee unto very great honor. Num. xxii. 17. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee. Prov. iv. 18.

The act of promoting, advancing, or encouraging; the act of exalting in rank or honor; also, the condition of being advanced, encouraged, or exalted in honor; preferment. Milton. Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. Ps. lxxv. 6.