Middle English Dictionary Entry

bifōre(n prep.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Forms bifōre(n prep. Also bivōre(n, -fōrn, -fōr.
Etymology OE beforan

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
Of position or location: (a) in front of; ahead of, at the head of; (b) along (the coast); (c) in advance of.
Show 28 Quotations
2.
Of motion or direction: ahead of; ~ the wind, with the wind; loken ~ face, look straight ahead.
Show 5 Quotations
3.
(a) In or into the presence of (sb.); before (a judge, etc.); ~ folk, in public; confronting, face to face with (sb.); (b) ~ eien, ~ face, ~ sighþe, before (one's) eyes, in (one's) presence; also, before the mind's eye, to one's mind.
Show 48 Quotations
4.
Theol. (a) In the presence or judgement of (God), before (God the omniscient, the judge, etc.); (b) in adjurations: ~ god, before God.
Show 12 Quotations
5.
In prospect, in sight.
Show 3 Quotations
6.
(a) Superior to, above (in rank, power, excellence, etc.); (b) in preference to, above, more than.
Show 19 Quotations
7.
Prior to (a specified time, one's lifetime, the present, an event, etc.), before; ~ dai, before dawn; ~ mani a dai, long ago; ~ mi day; ~ time, prematurely.
Show 27 Quotations
8.
In advance of (sth.) as a preliminary step, a motive, a cause.
Show 4 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1475 Gawain & CC (Brog 2.1)405 : A cher was fette for syr Gawene, That worthy knyȝt of Bryttayne, Before þe carllus wyfe was he sett.
    • Note: Sense ?'opposite'

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1500 Trin-C.R.14.45 Recipes (Trin-C R.14.45) 127/20 : Take þe a spatil of yren with a hefte of tree þat þou may holde hit by, and loke þat þi spaten be schapen in maner of a sclise, brode and sumdele scharpe byforne.
    • Note: ?New sense, ?or modify sense 1.(a), 'at the front'.

©2025 Regents of the University of Michigan. For details about this collection's copyright see the MEC copyright statement and the U-M Library Copyright Policy. Data last refreshed Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 12:18:00.