before

before [bē fôr′, bifôr′]

adv.

[ME biforen < OE beforan < be-, BY + foran,FORE]

1. in advance; in front; ahead

2. in the past; previously [I've heard that song before]

3. at an earlier time; sooner [come at ten, not before]

prep.

1. ahead of in time, space, order, rank, or importance

2. located just to the front of [he paused before the door]

3. in or into the sight, notice, presence, etc. of [a thought flashed before her mind; he stood before his accuser]

4. being considered, judged, or decided by [the matter before the committee]

5. earlier than; prior to [he left before noon]

6. still to be reached, accomplished, etc. by [the hardest task was before them]

7. in preference to; rather than [to choose death before dishonor]

conj.

1. earlier than the time that [drop in before you go]

2. sooner than; rather than [I'd die before I'd tell]