afore

Etymology

From Middle English afore, aforn, from Old English onforan or ætforan; equivalent to a- + fore.

adv

1. (archaic, dialect) Before.
   A chap named Eleazir Kendrick and I had chummed in together the summer afore and built a fish-weir and shanty at Setuckit Point, down Orham way. For a spell we done pretty well. 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt's Patients
2. (nautical) In the fore part of a ship.

prep

1. Before; in advance of the time of.
   He said he was jealous, and craved something to ease his care. 'It's but a small thing I ask,' says he, 'but it will make me a happy man, and nothing ever shall come atween us. Tryst wi' me for Beltane's E'en on the Sker sands, at the green link o' the burn where the sands begin, on the ebb o' the tide when midnight is by, but afore cockcrow. For,' said he, 'that was our forbears' tryst for true lovers, and wherefore no for you and me?' 1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide
   "Oh aye!" his face lit up with a smile. "I mind that! Where was that?" "That was us when we all worked in the shop, afore the War." "Oh aye …?" he frowned. "Who …?" She took the photograph back from him and reached inside her apron pocket for her spectacles. 1982, Edward Chisnall, Bell in the Tree: The Glasgow story
2. Before; situated geographically or metaphorically in front of.

conj

1. In advance of the time when; before.