anterior

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin anterior (“that is before, foremost”).

adj

1. (anatomy) Nearer the forward end, especially in the front of the body; nearer the head or forepart of an animal.
   1. (botany) (of a part of a flower or leaf) Situated further away from the mainstem.
   2. (phonetics) Pronounced with an obstruction located in front of the palato-alveolar region of the mouth, e.g. b, p, d, t.
2. (formal) Coming before or earlier in time or development, prior to, preceding.
   anterior to the time when mankind have become capable of being improved by free and equal discussion. 1859, John Stuart Mill, On Liberty