\Prest\,
imp. & p. p. of {Press}.

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

\Prest\, n. [OF. prest, F. pr[^e]t, fr. OF. prester to
lend, F. pr[^e]ter, fr. L. praestare to stand before, to
become surety for, to fulfill, offer, supply; prae before +
stare to stand. See {Pre-}, and {Stand}, and cf. {Press} to
force into service.]
1. Ready money; a loan of money. [Obs.]
         Requiring of the city a prest of six thousand marks.
                                               --Bacon.
2. (Law) A duty in money formerly paid by the sheriff on his
   account in the exchequer, or for money left or remaining
   in his hands. --Cowell.

\Prest\, v. t.
To give as a loan; to lend. [Obs.]
      Sums of money . . . prested out in loan. --E. Hall.