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Glite Dictionary
⏳ Before (old use) ⏳ Before (old use) 🕰️ Earlier (old use)
ere

ere

8 9.9
To show that one action happens before another
  • subordinating conjunction
  • /ɪə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : antes
  • Ere we get too far ahead of ourselves, however, we should bear in mind a trio of details:
  • ere they depart
  • ere you go
  • ere we come

Examples

  • Ere the hour of doom appears.

    Academic text (2017)

  • "If a man were to know the end of this day's business ere it come.

    Uncommon Valor (1983)

  • Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, that you do lie so late?

  • "I go west also," he said, "and needs must find my horse ere I arrive."

    Fiction book (1993)

  • We'll be forgotten ere the year is out.

    Blog text (16)

  • You were half blasted ere I knew you.

    Antony and Cleopatra (1972)

  • Ere my sweet Gaveston shall part from me, this isle shall fleet upon the ocean.

    Edward II (1991)

  • But ere they reached the glorious height, Love's arrows stopped their towing flight.

    Academic text (2014)

  • Hasten, ere the portcullis bars your entrance to Elsinore.

    Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)

  • Hasten, ere the portcullis bars your entrance to Elsinore.

Synonyms

afore
vsere
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Used in old language to mean in front of someone or before a time

is limited to expressing time only rather than position

Antonyms

after
574 1.0

At a later time than something else

Surface Forms

ere main

Etymology

Ere comes from the old English root ær meaning 'before'. Like the start of early, ere is a brief, old word used in writing or poetry to mean 'before'.