GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions 

  1.       

    Before , prep. [OE. beforen, biforen, before, AS. beforan; pref. be- + foran, fore, before. See Be-, and Fore.]
    1. In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house.
      1913 Webster
      His angel, who shall go
      Before them in a cloud and pillar of fire.
      Milton.

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    2. Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior to the time when; -- sometimes with the additional idea of purpose; in order that.
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      Before Abraham was, I am.
      John viii. 58.

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      Before this treatise can become of use, two points are necessary.
      Swift.

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      ☞ Formerly before, in this sense, was followed by that. “Before that Philip called thee . . . I saw thee.”
      John i. 48.

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    3. An advance of; farther onward, in place or time.
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      The golden age . . . is before us.
      Carlyle.

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    4. Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or worth; rather than.
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      He that cometh after me is preferred before me.
      John i. 15.

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      The eldest son is before the younger in succession.
      Johnson.

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    5. In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing.
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      Abraham bowed down himself before the people.
      Gen. xxiii. 12.

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      Wherewith shall I come before the Lord?
      Micah vi. 6.

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    6. Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of.
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      If a suit be begun before an archdeacon.
      Ayliffe.

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    7. Open for; free of access to; in the power of.
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      The world was all before them where to choose.
      Milton.

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      Before the mast (Naut.), as a common sailor, -- because the sailors live in the forecastle, forward of the foremast. -- Before the wind (Naut.), in the direction of the wind and by its impulse; having the wind aft.
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  2.       

    Before, adv.
    1. On the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the front; -- opposed to in the rear.
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      The battle was before and behind.
      2 Chron. xiii. 14.

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    2. In advance. “I come before to tell you.” 
      Shak.

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    3. In time past; previously; already.
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      You tell me, mother, what I knew before.
      Dryden.

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    4. Earlier; sooner than; until then.
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      When the butt is out, we will drink water; not a drop before.
      Shak.

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      ☞ Before is often used in self-explaining compounds; as, before-cited, before-mentioned; beforesaid.
      1913 Webster

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