01 prep. In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house.
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1.
In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house.“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.“Before Abraham was, I am.” — John viii. 58.“Before this treatise can become of use, two points are necessary.” — Swift.
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3.
An advance of; farther onward, in place or time.“The golden age . . . is before us.” — Carlyle.
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4.
Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or worth; rather than.“He that cometh after me is preferred before me.” — John i. 15.“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.“Abraham bowed down himself before the people.” — Gen. xxiii. 12.“Wherewith shall I come before the Lord?” — Micah vi. 6.
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6.
Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of.“If a suit be begun before an archdeacon.” — Ayliffe.
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7.
Open for; free of access to; in the power of.“The world was all before them where to choose.” — Milton.
Phrases & compounds
Before the mast —
as a common sailor, -- because the sailors live in the forecastle, forward of the foremast.
Before the wind —
in the direction of the wind and by its impulse; having the wind aft.