— previously , adv. — previousness , n.
/pree"vee euhs/ , adj.
1. coming or occurring before something else; prior: the previous owner.
2. Informal. done, occurring, etc., before the proper time; premature: Aren't you a little previous with that request?
3. previous to , before; prior to: Previous to moving here she lived in Chicago.
[ 1615-25; praevius going before, equiv. to prae- PRE- + vi ( a ) way + -us adj. suffix ]
Syn. 1. earlier, former, preceding, foregoing.