Word Direct Answers

What does "before" mean?

Before: Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior to the time when; -- sometimes with the additional idea of purpose; in order that. Before Abraham was, I am. John viii.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Before this treatise can become of use, two points are necessary. Swift. Note: Formerly before, in this sense, was followed by that. "Before that Philip called thee . . . I saw thee." John i.
  2. 3.3. An advance of; farther onward, in place or time. The golden age . . . is before us. Carlyle.
  3. 4.Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or worth; rather than. He that cometh after me is preferred before me. John i.
  4. 5.The eldest son is before the younger in succession. Johnson.
  5. 6.In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing. Abraham bowed down himself before the people. Gen. xxiii.
  6. 7.Wherewith shall I come before the Lord Micah vi.
  7. 8.6. Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of. If a suit be begun before an archdeacon. Ayliffe.
  8. 9.Open for; free of access to; in the power of. The world was all before them where to choose. Milton. Before the mast (Naut.), as a common sailor, -- because the sailors live in the forecastle, forward of the foremast. -- Before the wind (Naut.), in the direction of the wind and by its impulse; having the wind aft.
  9. 10.On the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the front; -- opposed to in the rear. The battle was before and behind. 2 Chron. xiii.
  10. 11.2. In advance. "I come before to tell you." Shak.
  11. 12.In time past; previously; already. You tell me, mother, what I knew before. Dryden.
  12. 13.Earlier; sooner than; until then. When the butt is out, we will drink water; not a drop before. Shak. Note: Before is often used in self-explaining compounds; as, before- cited, before-mentioned; beforesaid.

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