noun

• (now historical) Prior claim (on payment, or on purchasing something); the first rights to obtain a particular payment or product.
• (obsolete) The fact of being pushed or advanced to a more favourable situation; furtherance, promotion (of a candidate, action, undertaking etc.).
• Advancement to a higher position or office; promotion.
• A position (especially in the Church of England) that provides profit or prestige.
• (now rare) The fact of preferring something; preference.
• A mixture of flour, water and yeast that is allowed to ferment prior to another baking process