before

/bi fawr", -fohr"/, prep.

1. previous to; earlier or sooner than: Phone me before noon.

2. in front of; ahead of; in advance of: his shadow advancing before him; She stood before the window.

3. ahead of; in the future of; awaiting: The golden age is before us.

4. in preference to; rather than: They would die before surrendering.

5. in precedence of, as in order or rank: We put freedom before wealth.

6. in the presence or sight of: to appear before an audience.

7. less than; until: used in indicating the exact time: It's ten before three.

8. under the jurisdiction or consideration of: He was summoned before a magistrate.

9. confronted by; in the face of: Before such wild accusations, he was too stunned to reply.

10. in the regard of: a crime before God and humanity.

11. under the overwhelming influence of: bending before the storm.

12. without figuring or deducting: income before deductions.

adv.

13. in front; in advance; ahead: The king entered with macebearers walking before.

14. in time preceding; previously: If we'd known before, we'd have let you know.

15. earlier or sooner: Begin at noon, not before.

conj.

16. previous to the time when: Send the telegram before we go.

17. sooner than; rather than: I will die before I submit.

[bef. 1000; ME beforen, OE beforan, equiv. to be BY + foran before (fore FORE¹ + -an adv. suffix)]

Ant. 13. after, behind. 14. afterward. 15. later.

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