Previous, (5)
'previous' is the definition.
(prior means previous or earlier)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for prior that I've seen before include "former conviction" , "Former - churchman" , "head of a religious community" , "Existing beforehand" , "Former - holy man" .)
'previous' is the definition.
(I know that previous can be written as former)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for former that I've seen before include "The first mention of the two" , "Past; first (of two)" , "Erstwhile" , "The first of two mentioned" , "Of an earlier time" .)
'previous' is the definition.
(I know that previous can be written as late)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for late that I've seen before include "Dead or dilatory" , "No longer alive; tardy" , "Behind time; deceased" , "on time? Not quite" , "Still to come - already gone!" .)
'previous' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for past that I've seen before include "Beyond" , "Yesteryear" , "A person's earlier life history" , "over and done with" , "The time that has elapsed" .)