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?

From Washington Post

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Led on by Fingal and his warriors, whom beforetime we erroneously reported to be slain, they crossed over to the station where we had pitched our tents.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg