prest money

1 definition found

prest money - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Prest \Prest\, a. [OF. prest, F. pr[^e]t, fr. L. praestus ready.
     Cf. Presto.]
     1. Ready; prompt; prepared. [Obs.]
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              All prest to such battle he was.      --R. of
                                                    Gloucester.
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     2. Neat; tidy; proper. [Obs.] --Tusser.
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     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.
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