Webster's 1828 Dictionary
PRESTER
n.[Gr. to kindle or inflame. ] 1. A meteor thrown from the clouds with such violence, that by collision it is set on fire.
2. The external part of the neck, which swells when a person is angry.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary
PRESTER
Pres "ter, n. Etym: [NL. , fr. Gr.
1. A meteor or exhalation formerly supposed to be thrown from the clouds with such violence that by collision it is set on fire. [Obs. ]
2. pl.
Defn: One of the veins of the neck when swollen with anger or other excitement. [Obs. ]
PRESTER
Pres "ter, n. Etym: [OF. prestre. See Priest. ]
Defn: A priest or presbyter; as, Prester John. [Obs. ]
PRESTERNUM
Pre *ster "num, n. Etym: [NL. ] (Anat. )
Defn: The anterior segment of the sternum; the manubrium. -- Pre *ster "nal, a.
New American Oxford Dictionary
Prester John
Pres ter John |ˈprestər ˈjän ˌprɛstər ˈʤɑn | a legendary medieval Christian king of Asia (and, later, of Ethiopia ), said to have defeated the Muslims and to be destined to bring help to the Holy Land. ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French prestre Jehan, from medieval Latin presbyter Johannes ‘priest John. ’
Oxford Dictionary
Prester John
Prester John |ˈprɛstə | a legendary medieval Christian king of Asia, said to have defeated the Muslims and to be destined to bring help to the Holy Land. ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French prestre Jehan, from medieval Latin presbyter Johannes ‘priest John ’.
The Wordsmith Dictionary