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• prius
  prius

  adjective

  (in prescriptions) before; former.
• Prius
  Prius

  noun

  a brand of hybrid car, one of the first commercially successful, that runs at lower speeds on an electric motor powered by a battery pack, and at higher speeds on a gasoline engine, which can also recharge the battery.

prius

¹ American  

[prahy-uhs] / ˈpraɪ əs /

adjective

1. (in prescriptions) before; former.

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Prius ² American  

[pree-uhs] / ˈpri əs /

noun

Trademark.

Prius, plural Prii plural

1. a brand of hybrid car, one of the first commercially successful, that runs at lower speeds on an electric motor powered by a battery pack, and at higher speeds on a gasoline engine, which can also recharge the battery.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Prii
  plural
• Prius
  plural

Etymology

Origin of prius¹

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1890–95

Origin of Prius²

1997; from the Latin prius meaning “coming before”; also related to such English words as “prior” and “primary”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prius Prius

June 19th and 20th.—The common informer’s action tried at Nisi prius before Mr. Justice Grove.

From The True Story of my Parliamentary Struggle by Bradlaugh, Charles

In London and Middlesex, instead of circuits, courts of nisi prius are held.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 Amiel to Atrauli by Various

Ruminating over this, he hastened on to a nisi prius case.

From Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume I. by Lever, Charles James

That was made at nisi prius in answer to a motion for a nonsuit in an action brought for an infringement of a patent right.

From Monopolies and the People by Cloud, D. C.

The neighbouring Coemeterium Ostrianum was anciently known as “Fons S. Petri,” “ubi Petrus baptizavit,” “ubi Petrus prius sedit.”

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5 "Cat" to "Celt" by Various

Lower gas prices are a difference-maker, he said—he is on a tight budget that makes filling even his Prius a headache.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

“With oil price spikes in 2007-2008, there were waitlists for the Toyota Prius hybrid, but by 2016 when prices fell, Ford saw record sales of F-150s,” Medlock said.

From MarketWatch ● May 5, 2026

He doesn’t own a luxury Tesla; he owns a $5,000 Prius.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 24, 2026

The cars were in the highway’s left lane, and the Prius driver was standing next to the Elantra.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 11, 2026

Dr. Blankenship arrived in the Prius that had replaced the one he gave Lydia.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner