Prest \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Prest \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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