prest

imp. & p. p. of Press. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. prest, F. prêt, fr. L. praestus ready. Cf. Presto. ] 1. Ready; prompt; prepared. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

All prest to such battle he was. R. of Gloucester. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Neat; tidy; proper. [ Obs. ] Tusser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prest money, money formerly paid to men when they enlisted into the British service; -- so called because it bound those that received it to be ready for service when called upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. prest, F. prêt, fr. OF. prester to lend, F. prêter, fr. L. praestare to stand before, to become surety for, to fulfill, offer, supply; prae before + stare to stand. See Pre-, and Stand, and cf. Press to force into service. ] 1. Ready money; a loan of money. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Requiring of the city a prest of six thousand marks. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) A duty in money formerly paid by the sheriff on his account in the exchequer, or for money left or remaining in his hands. Cowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Payable. [ Scot. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. praestatio a performing, paying, fr. praestare: cf. F. prestation. ] (O. Eng. Law) A payment of money; a toll or duty; also, the rendering of a service. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prestation money, a sum of money paid yearly by archdeacons and other dignitaries to their bishop. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_;, from &unr_; to kindle or burn, and &unr_; to blow up, swell out by blowing. ] 1. A meteor or exhalation formerly supposed to be thrown from the clouds with such violence that by collision it is set on fire. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. One of the veins of the neck when swollen with anger or other excitement. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. prestre. See Priest. ] A priest or presbyter; as, Prester John. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL. ] (Anat.) The anterior segment of the sternum; the manubrium. -- Pre*ster"nal a. [1913 Webster]