Origin of prest1
1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Late Latin praestus ready. See presto
- a loan.
- an advance payment on wages.
- prest money.
Origin of prest2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for prest
Buck plays Mrs. Prest, a character she describes as “an entrepreneurial socialite.”Joan Juliet Buck: Budding Star
July 17, 2010
Therfore on Ester-Euyn he sent his boy to the prest of the next town, that was ii.
The preste rounne after with the vestement on his backe: and the vestement-maker after the prest.
They were very civil to me, and prest me to dine at Selvington.
She is fonder of me than ever; prest me to go with her to Maryland this Winter.
And I further Declare, that they are not worthe more, and that if at prest.
- obsolete prepared for action or use; ready
C13: via Old French from Late Latin praestus ready to hand; see presto
- obsolete a loan of money
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