adv.
Function: conjunction
Date: 13th century
1 a (1) : earlier than the time that <call me before you go> (2) : sooner or quicker than <I'll be done before you know it> (3) : so that ⋯ do not <get out of there before you get dirty> b : until the time that <miles to go before I sleep ― Robert Frost> c (1) : or else ⋯ not <must be convicted before he can be removed from office> (2) : or else <get out of here before I call a cop>
2 : rather or sooner than <would starve before he'd steal>