prest

¹

[ prest ]

adjective

, Obsolete.

1. ready.

prest

²

[ prest ]

noun

, Obsolete.

1. a loan.
2. an advance payment on wages.
3. prest money.

prest

¹

/ prɛst /

adjective

1. obsolete.
   prepared for action or use; ready

prest

²

/ prɛst /

noun

1. obsolete.
   a loan of money

Word History and Origins

Origin of prest¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Late Latin praestus ready. See presto

Origin of prest²

1400–50; late Middle English prest ( e ) < Middle French prest, Old French, noun derivative of prester to lend < Latin praestāre to perform, vouch for, excel ( Medieval Latin: to lend), literally, to stand in front. See pre-, stand

Word History and Origins

Origin of prest¹

C13: via Old French from Late Latin praestus ready to hand; see presto

Origin of prest²

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

Example Sentences

Buck plays Mrs. Prest, a character she describes as “an entrepreneurial socialite.”

From The Daily Beast

I put my right hand round his neck, and prest him to my heart.

From Project Gutenberg

The enemy, now in confusion, thought they were attacked in the rear, while the Swedish brigades prest them in front.

From Project Gutenberg

The left wing quickly formed again and vigorously prest the right of the Imperialists.

From Project Gutenberg

Thousands fled to distant lands, a thousand victims fell on the bloody field, and fresh thousands prest on.

From Project Gutenberg

Hann sagi til hit sanna, ok ba sœkja prest ok kvaz vildu finna hann.

From Project Gutenberg