beforetime

American  

[bih-fawr-tahym, -fohr-] / bɪˈfɔrˌtaɪm, -ˈfoʊr- /

adverb

Archaic.

1. formerly.

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beforetime British  

/ bɪˈfɔːˌtaɪm /

adverb

1. archaic formerly

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Etymology

Origin of beforetime

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 • Sep. 29, 2021

At present the Mystic Seven, who beforetime had offered a united 174 front to the world, were suffering from a series of internal quarrels.

From The Madcap of the School by Salmon, Balliol

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 Pine Needles by Warner, Susan

"I tell you that the king straitly commandeth you to buy their cloths as beforetime you have been accustomed to do, upon pain of his high displeasure."

From The Reign of Henry the Eighth, Volume 1 (of 3) by Froude, James Anthony

One or two friends whose professions had beforetime been profuse, Eleanor met.

From The History Of The Last Trial By Jury For Atheism In England A Fragment of Autobiography Submitted for the Perusal of Her Majesty's Attorney-General and the British Clergy by Holyoake, George Jacob