conj., prep., & adv.
--conj.
1. earlier than the time when (crawled before he walked).
2 rather than that (would starve before he stole).
--prep.
1. a in front of (before her in the queue). b ahead of (crossed the line before him). c under the impulse of (recoil before the attack). d awaiting (the future before them).
2 earlier than; preceding (Lent comes before Easter).
3 rather than (death before dishonour).
4 a in the presence of (appear before the judge). b for the attention of (a plan put before the committee).
--adv.
1. a earlier than the time in question; already (heard it before). b in the past (happened long before).
2 ahead (go before).
3 on the front (hit before and behind).
Phrases and idioms:
Before Christ (of a date) reckoned backwards from the birth of Christ. before God a solemn oath meaning 'as God sees me'. before time see TIME.
Etymology: OE beforan f. Gmc