prior meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior meaning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the meaning of a word or phrase before a certain context or change occurred. Example: "In this discussion, we need to clarify the prior meaning of the term before we can analyze its current usage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Its prior meaning implies scarcity and allocation of physical products.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

To account for uncertainty in paleontological dates we use flexible priors, meaning that calibrations are expressed as probabilistic distributions with minimum and maximum bounds [ 15, 16].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

A higher prior mean (meaning patients are more likely to be allocated to linked treatments), results in the power to detect treatment effects between linked treatment biomarker pairs being higher than the parallel trials design.

British Journal of Cancer

The Eurogroup is also demanding that Greece give evidence of the legal framework that it will put in place to implement the "prior actions", meaning spending cuts.

The Guardian - Business

But the Turkey package puts an unusual emphasis on what the fund calls prior actions, meaning that none of the aid money will be distributed until promised changes are implemented by government officials and Parliament.

The New York Times

Biden's net favorable of +11 percentage points is very close to Obama's net approval rating of +14pt from the prior poll, meaning that the two are closely correlated.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it could still be followed by a lawsuit.Second, the bill expands the right of third parties to join the fray at the PTO by showing "prior art"—meaning the invention is already known about and so a patent should not be granted.

The Economist

[The startup's Form D filing, which was filed today, actually says that they've raised $4.2 million of a potential $5.3 million offered, but the co-founders tell us that the $700K includes the convertible note from a prior round, meaning the total raised as of today is $3.5 million.].

TechCrunch

Earthjustice, along with other groups including the Sierra Club, filed the suit in a Washington state court, alleging the drilling operation was substantially different from the terminal's prior use, meaning an environmental review had to be done under state law.

Huffington Post

14 We also excluded patients with a prior cancer, meaning that these results cannot be extrapolated to patients with a previous cancer, who have been reported on previously.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

To estimate the topology of the groups, the program was first used with relative mutation rate priors (meaning that the scale of the species tree will be in mutations rather than years).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the evolution of a term or concept, clarify the "prior meaning" to provide a clear baseline for comparison. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures your audience understands the historical context.

Common error

Don't assume your audience is familiar with the "prior meaning" of a term, especially if it has changed significantly over time. Always explicitly define it to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior meaning" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it often refers to a past definition or understanding of a term, concept, or action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prior meaning" is a noun phrase used to denote the original or earlier understanding of a term or concept. Ludwig AI indicates that while grammatically correct, its frequency is relatively rare. It serves to clarify or contrast historical interpretations with current ones. The phrase appears in a variety of contexts, most commonly in News & Media and Science. In writing, always clearly define the "prior meaning" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "original sense" or "previous understanding".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

original sense

Focuses on the initial or first understanding of a term or concept.

initial interpretation

Highlights the first way something was understood or explained.

previous understanding

Emphasizes an earlier comprehension of something.

historical significance

Shifts the focus to the historical importance or relevance of the meaning.

early connotation

Refers to the initial implied or suggested meaning of a word or phrase.

preceding definition

Specifies a definition that came before the current one.

antecedent meaning

Highlights the meaning that existed before a particular event or development.

original denotation

Focuses on the literal or dictionary definition from the beginning.

archaic interpretation

Refers to an old or outdated understanding.

bygone significance

Emphasizes that the importance or meaning is from a past era.

FAQs

How can I use "prior meaning" in a sentence?

You can use "prior meaning" to discuss how the definition of a word or concept has changed over time. For example: "In order to understand the current debate, it's crucial to grasp the "prior meaning" of the term 'sustainability'".

What's an alternative to the phrase "prior meaning"?

Alternatives include "original sense", "initial interpretation", or "previous understanding". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it necessary to define the "prior meaning" when discussing current usage?

Defining the "prior meaning" is often helpful, especially when the term's definition has evolved or is subject to debate. It provides valuable context and helps prevent misunderstandings.

What's the difference between "prior meaning" and "current meaning"?

"Prior meaning" refers to the original or earlier definition of a word or concept, while "current meaning" refers to how it's understood and used today. Recognizing this difference is essential for nuanced communication.