a·fore

(ə-fôr′)

adv.prep. & conj. Southern & Midland US

Before.

[Middle English, from Old English onforan : on, at; see on + foran, before (from fore; see fore).]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

afore

(əˈfɔː)

adv, prep, conj

an archaic or dialect word for before

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

be•fore

(bɪˈfɔr, -ˈfoʊr)

prep.

1. previous to; earlier than: Call me before noon.

2. in front or ahead of: She stood before the window.

3. awaiting: The golden age is before us.

4. in preference to; rather than: They would die before surrendering.

5. in precedence of, as in order or rank: We put freedom before wealth.

6. in the presence or sight of: to appear before an audience.

7. under the consideration or jurisdiction of: summoned before a magistrate.

8. in the face of: Before such wild accusations, he was speechless.

9. in the regard of: a crime before God and humanity.

adv.

10. in time preceding; previously: We've met before.

11. earlier or sooner.

12. in front; in advance; ahead.

conj.

13. previous to the time when: See me before you go.

14. sooner than; rather than: I will die before I submit.

[before 1000; Middle English beforen, Old English beforan=be by ¹ + foran before (derivative of fore fore ¹]

Translations

vorher zuvor

afore

[əˈfɔːʳ] CONJ (archaic or dial) (esp Scot) → antes (de) que

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

afore

(obs, dial)

conj → bevor

adv → zuvor

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

It was the night afore the great race, when I found him on the heath, in a booth that I know'd on.

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Tom; if it wasn't Bill Fawks as gen me the terrier pup istid o' drowndin't it, an' I had to jaw him a good un afore he'd give it me."

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I wouldn't have toted it in, anyhow, if some of those high-falutin' fellows hadn't allowed, the other night, ez it were the reg'lar thing to do; as if, miss, any gentleman kalkilated to ever put on his hat in the house afore a lady!"

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Folks have to wait long enough afore it's brought to 'em."

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But I'd liefer you'd hearn the truth concernin myseln, fro my lips than fro onny other man's, though I never cud'n speak afore so monny, wi'out bein moydert and muddled.'

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He should a been wed afore, to a widow lady, but they couldn't agree over the money: she'd a rare long purse, and Mr.

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You'll excoose me refoosin' to talk of perfeshunal subjucts afore meals.

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In the preface Caxton tells us how, after he had printed some other books, many gentlemen came to him to ask him why he did not print a history of King Arthur, "which ought most to be remembered among us Englishmen afore all the Christian kings; to whom I answered that diverse men hold opinion that there was no such Arthur, and all such books as be made of him be but fained matters and fables."

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"Let them burn their powder," said the deliberate scout, while bullet after bullet whizzed by the place where he securely lay; "there will be a fine gathering of lead when it is over, and I fancy the imps will tire of the sport afore these old stones cry out for mercy!

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It cannot be long afore some of yonder brood will be nosing along the

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Look at that hand of mine--many and many a job that hand has done, with a neatness and dex-terity, never known afore. When I look at that hand,' said Mr Dennis, shaking it in the air, 'and remember the helegant bits of work it has turned off, I feel quite molloncholy to think it should ever grow old and feeble.

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'I must have a full suit of mourning, Fagin, and a hatband, to wisit him in, afore he sets out upon his travels.

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