prep
Earlier than (in time).
I want this done before Monday.
We made an odd party before the arrival of the Ten, particularly when the Celebrity dropped in for lunch or dinner.
In front of in space.
He stood before me.
We sat before the fire to warm ourselves.
In the presence of.
He performed before the troops in North Africa.
He spoke before a joint session of Congress.
Under consideration, judgment, authority of (someone).
The case laid before the panel aroused nothing but ridicule.
If a suit be begun before an archdeacon[…]
In store for, in the future of (someone).
Your whole life is before you.
The golden age[…]is before us.
adv
At an earlier time.
I've never done this before.
This achievement far exceeded anything that had come before.
In advance in position or sequence; ahead.
We walked behind while they went before.
At the front end.
When people call this beast to mind, They marvel more and more At such a little tail behind, So LARGE a trunk before.
conj
In advance of the time when.
Near-synonym: no later than
Brush your teeth before you go to bed.
Rather or sooner than.
I'll die before I('ll) tell you anything about it.