[be.fore] adv or adj [ME, adv. & prep., fr. OE beforan, fr. be- + foran before, fr. fore] (bef. 12c) 1: in advance: ahead "marching on ~"
2: at an earlier time: previously "the night ~" "knew her from ~"
[2]before prep (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): in front of (2): in the presence of b: under the jurisdiction or consideration of "the case ~ the court" c (1): at the disposal of (2): in store for
2: preceding in time: earlier than
3: in a higher or more important position than "put quantity ~ quality" [3]before conj (13c) 1 a (1): earlier than the time that "call me ~ you go" (2): sooner or quicker than "I'll be done ~ you know it" (3): so that ... do not "get out of there ~ you get dirty" b: until the time that "miles to go ~ I sleep --Robert Frost" c (1): or else ... not "must be convicted ~ he can be removed from office" (2): or else "get out of here ~ I call a cop"
2: rather or sooner than "would starve ~ he'd steal"