priority
UK: praɪˈɒrəti | US: praɪˈɔːrəti
n. 1. The condition of being more important than something else; precedence in rank or order.
n. 2. A thing regarded as more important than others.
n. 3. (Computing) The order in which tasks or processes are executed.
priority = prior<earlier> + ity<noun suffix>
- prior: From Latin prior ("former, earlier, superior"), comparative of pri (base of primus, "first").
- ity: A noun-forming suffix from Latin -itas, indicating state or condition.
Etymology Origin:
The word "priority" entered English in the 14th century via Old French priorité, derived from Latin prioritas. Its core logic revolves around the concept of "coming before" (prior) in time, rank, or importance. The suffix -ity formalizes it as an abstract noun, solidifying its meaning as "the state of being first." Historically, it was used in ecclesiastical contexts (e.g., monastic ranks) before broadening to general precedence.
Safety is our top priority in this project.
The manager assigned priority to urgent client requests.
In multitasking systems, processes are given priority levels.
She rearranged her schedule to reflect her new priorities.
The team debated the priority of features for the software update.