prius

¹ American  

[prahy-uhs] / ˈpraɪ əs /

adjective

1. (in prescriptions) before; former.

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Prius ² American  

[pree-uhs] / ˈpri əs /

noun

Trademark.

PLURAL

Prius, Prii

1. a brand of hybrid car, one of the first commercially successful, that runs at lower speeds on an electric motor powered by a battery pack, and at higher speeds on a gasoline engine, which can also recharge the battery.

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Etymology

Origin of prius¹

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1890–95

Origin of Prius²

1997; from the Latin prius meaning “coming before”; also related to such English words as “prior” and “primary”

Example Sentences

The state’s aggressive emission rules were pivotal in pushing automakers toward electric vehicles, with Toyota largely developing its Prius for California’s market.

From Los Angeles Times

I could probably answer half of my reader mail with the words “Toyota Prius.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Toyota instead focused on gas-electric hybrid vehicles, a technology it pioneered with the Prius.

From The Wall Street Journal

From surveillance footage, detectives identified the suspect’s car as a black Toyota Prius.

From Los Angeles Times

Two weeks later, Beverly Hills officers spotted the Prius at Lexington Road and Beverly Drive, the probation report said.

From Los Angeles Times