prest

Prest, Defn: imp. & p. p. of Press. Prest, a. Etym: [OF. prest, F. prêt, 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. Etym: [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.] Requiring of the city a prest of six thousand marks. Bacon. 2. (Law) Defn: 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. Defn: To give as a loan; to lend. [Obs.] Sums of money . . . prested out in loan. E. Hall.

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