1. plural of prest; advances of money, especially wages paid in advance
Usage: archaic; historical

Examples

• The sailors received their prests before the voyage began.
• Military prests were common practice in the 18th century.
• The captain distributed prests to ensure the crew’s families were provided for.
• Historical records show prests were often given to soldiers before deployment.
• The accounting ledger detailed various prests made to workers.