Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Prest?

\Prest\, imp. & p. p. of {Press}.
\Prest\, a. [OF. prest, F. pr[^e]t, fr. L. praestus ready. Cf. {Presto}.] 1. Ready; prompt; prepared. [Obs.] All prest to such battle he was. --R. of Gloucester. 2. Neat; tidy; proper. [Obs.] --Tusser. {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.
\Prest\, n. [OF. prest, F. pr[^e]t, fr. OF. prester to lend, F. pr[^e]ter, 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.] Requiring of the city a prest of six thousand marks. --Bacon. 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.
\Prest\, v. t. To give as a loan; to lend. [Obs.] Sums of money . . . prested out in loan. --E. Hall.