n. - ordained minister of the roman catholic or orthodox church, or of the anglican church (above a deacon and below a bishop).

- (fem. Priestess) official minister of a non-christian religion. priesthood n. Priestly adj. [latin *presbyter]

adj. - primitive, primeval.

- chief, fundamental. [latin: related to *prime1]

n. Substance used to prime wood etc.

- n. - elementary textbook for teaching children to read.

- introductory book. [latin: related to *prime1]

n. Propr. Portable cooking stove burning vaporized oil. [latin, = first]

consort n. (title conferred on) the husband of a reigning queen who is himself a prince.

- n. (as a title usu. Prince) 1 male member of a royal family other than the reigning king.

- ruler of a small state.

- noble man in some countries.

- (often foll. By of) chief or greatest (the prince of novelists). [latin princeps -cip-]

- of wales n. (title conferred on) the eldest son and heir apparent of the british monarch.

- regent n. Prince who acts as regent, esp. The future george iv.

n. (pl. -ies) monastery governed by a prior or nunnery governed by a prioress. [anglo-french and medieval latin: related to *prior]

n. - place of captivity, esp. A building to which persons are committed while awaiting trial or for punishment.

- custody, confinement. [latin prehendo seize]

adj. (-ier, -iest) prim, prudish. prissily adv. Prissiness n. [perhaps from *prim, *sissy]

n. Bushy evergreen shrub used for hedges. [origin unknown]

and loss account n. Account showing net profit or loss at any time.

- margin n. Profit after the deduction of costs.

- —n. - advantage or benefit.

- financial gain; excess of returns over outlay. —v. (-t-) 1 (also absol.) Be beneficial to.

- obtain advantage or benefit (profited by the experience). at a profit with financial gain. [latin profectus: related to *proficient]