beforetime

[bih-fawr-tahym, -fohr-]

adverb

Archaic.

1. formerly.

beforetime

/ bɪˈfɔːˌtaɪm /

adverb

1. archaic,  formerly

Word History and Origins

Origin of beforetime¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, beforetime is from Middle English bifor time. See before, time

Example Sentences

Is this the beforetime for Johns, a memory of a time before he decided to be an artist, before he turned inward and began to live almost entirely in his head?

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They did not mean to act any lie by this means, however, for the tin vessels were not made for the purposes of deception, but had been there beforetime.

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Peradventure, if I had not been beforetime so careful of my favours, I had been woo'd and wedded with the best of 'em.

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This fellow of Clare Hall, when I began to preach the gospel, became my enemy, and did me some injury in some ecclesiastical privileges which beforetime I had enjoyed.

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He comes men know not how, when they are sitting with fastened doors He appears in the midst; He goes they know not where, and the disciples who beforetime were so full of curiosity, do not venture to ask whither He goes or where He abides.

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