1. (prep.) In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house.

2. (prep.) Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior to the time when; -- sometimes with the additional idea of purpose; in order that.

3. (prep.) An advance of; farther onward, in place or time.

4. (prep.) Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or worth; rather than.

5. (prep.) In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing.

6. (prep.) Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of.

7. (prep.) Open for; free of access to; in the power of.

8. (adv.) On the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the front; -- opposed to in the rear.

9. (adv.) In advance.

10. (adv.) In time past; previously; already.

11. (adv.) Earlier; sooner than; until then.

above aforetime ahead ahead of time already ante before all before now beforehand beforetime betimes by choice by election by vote confronting earlier early ere ere then erenow erewhile erst erstwhile facing first fore foremost foresightedly formerly forward headmost hereinabove hereinbefore heretofore historically hitherto in advance in advance of in anticipation in anticipation of in front in front of in preference in preference to in preparation for in the forefront in the foreground in the front in the future in the lead in the past in times past once only yesterday or ever preceding precociously preferably prehistorically previous previous to previously prior to priorly rather rather than recently sooner sooner than supra then theretofore till to to come to the fore to the front until up ahead up to whilom yesterday yet