aforetime

[ uh-fawr-tahym, uh-fohr- ]

adverb

1. in time past; in a former time; previously.

adjective

1. former; previous.

aforetime

/ əˈfɔːˌtaɪm /

adverb

1. archaic.
   formerly

Word History and Origins

Origin of aforetime¹

First recorded in 1525–35; afore + time

Example Sentences

Yet I do not believe that the world about us will ever again be as it was of old, or the light of the Sun as it was aforetime.

From Literature

"Well, I might be able to imagine it, but I'd sooner not. Bad enough to know you're going to come to some awful end without thinking about it aforetime."

From Literature

Now it may be possible with some ingenuity of argument—Laud himself had aforetime made such an attempt—to regard the Battle of the Churches as a contest of the reason; in practice its provincialism is due to the fact that it was concerned, not with the truth, but with what men had held to be the truth.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon this very wall where now thou standest sorely troubled, stood aforetime King Hezekiah.

From Project Gutenberg

If, however, the clergy were to give heed to Mr. Ruskin's words, and at once proceed to the indiscriminate excommunication of usurers, would they not be initiating a social revolution, altogether176 different from that orderly upgrowth of a better state of things which has commended itself aforetime to Mr. Ruskin himself?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ahead
• back
• previously
• since
• sooner