I. bi-ˈfȯr, bē- adverb or adjective
Etymology: Middle English, adverb & preposition, from Old English beforan, from be- + foran before, from fore
Date: before 12th century
1. : in advance : ahead
marching on before
2. : at an earlier time : previously
the night before
knew her from before
II. preposition
Date: before 12th century
1.
a.
(1) : forward of : in front of
stood before the fire
(2) : in the presence of
speaking before the conference
b. : under the jurisdiction or consideration of
the case before the court
c.
(1) : at the disposal of
the great sums placed before him
(2) : in store for
got the whole summer before you
2. : preceding in time : earlier than
just before noon
3. : in a higher or more important position than
put quantity before quality
III. 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