an ‧ ter ‧ i ‧ or /ænˈtɪəriə $ -ˈtɪriər/ BrE AmE adjective [no comparative]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: 'further in front' , from ante ; ⇨ ↑ ante- ]
1 . technical at or towards the front ⇨ posterior :
anterior vertebrae
2 . formal happening or existing before something else