Adolescence /ˌæd

prior /praɪə r / /praɪr/ adjective [ before noun ] EARLIER
1. slightly formal existing or happening before something else, or before a particular time
The course required no prior knowledge of Spanish.
They had to refuse the dinner invitation because of a prior engagement (= something already planned for that time) .
2. prior to sth
before a particular time or event
the weeks prior to her death
prior /praɪə r / /praɪr/ adjective [ before noun ] MORE IMPORTANT
3. formal more important
Mothers with young children have a prior claim on funds.
punctual /ˈpʌŋk.tju.əl/ adjective
arriving, doing something or happening at the expected, correct time; not late
a punctual start to the meeting
He's fairly punctual (= He usually arrives on time) .
time-consuming /ˈtaɪm.kənˌsjuː.mɪŋ/ /-ˌsuː-/ adjective
describes a task that takes a lot of time to do
Producing a dictionary is a very time-consuming job.
erode /ɪˈrəʊd/ /-ˈroʊd/ verb [ I or T ]
1. to rub or be rubbed away gradually
Wind and rain have eroded the statues into shapeless lumps of stone.
The cliffs are eroding several feet a year.
2. to slowly reduce or destroy
His behaviour over the last few months has eroded my confidence in his judgment.