theretofore

[ th air-tuh-fawr, -fohr ]

/ ˌðɛər təˈfɔr, -ˈfoʊr /

adverb

before or until that time.

Nearby words

theremin, thereof, thereon, theresa, thereto, theretofore, thereunder, thereupon, therewith, therewithal, therezina

Origin of theretofore

First recorded in 1300–50, theretofore is from the Middle English word ther tofore. See there, heretofore

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for theretofore

It's why a number of commentators who had theretofore said Benghazi was nothing was now something.
Will ABC Finger the Liar?|Michael Tomasky|May 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Not as theretofore "during good behavior," but "during the king's pleasure."
The Student's Life of Washington; Condensed from the Larger Work of Washington Irving|Washington Irving
Each discovery destroys in whole or part some theretofore cherished belief.
Humanity's Gain from Unbelief|Charles Bradlaugh
It was signed for the most part by men who theretofore had taken but little part in the dispute.
The Felon's Track|Michael Doheny

However, the attitude of the Polish clergy towards the newly-converted sectarians remained as skeptical as theretofore.
History of the Jews in Russia and Poland, Volume I (of 3)|S. M. Dubnow
The power of the armadilla, which had theretofore been arbitrary, was also regulated at this time.
The History of Cuba, vol. 1|Willis Fletcher Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for theretofore

theretofore

/ (ˌðɛətʊˈfɔː) /

adverb

formal before that time; previous to that

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012