prest/prɛst/EtymologyFrom Middle English prest, from Old French prest.nameA surname.nounA payment of wages in advanceA loan or advance (of money)“Requiring of the city a prest of six thousand marks.”A tax or dutyA sum of money paid to a soldier or sailor upon enlistmentA duty in money formerly paid by the sheriff on his account in the exchequer, or for money left or remaining in his hands.“the same tayles soe hereafter there to be levyed and striken, shalbe delyvered unto everye of the same Sheriffes[…]without prest or other chardge to be sett upon them for the same.”adjReady; prompt; prepared.Neat; tidy; proper.“False knave ready prest, All safe is the best”Quick, brisk.“The fauconer then was prest, Came runnynge with a dow, And cryed, ‘Stow, stow, stow!’ But she wold not bow.”verbTo give as a loan; to lend.“a greate part of our armie already prested, and in our wages to go forward”