(redirected from Afores)
Related to Afores: sura, INFONAVIT


adv.prep. & conj. Southern & Midland US

[Middle English, from Old English onforan : on, at; see on + foran, before (from fore; see fore).]


adv, prep, conj
an archaic or dialect word for before


(bɪˈfɔr, -ˈfoʊr)

1. previous to; earlier than: Call me before noon.
2. in front or ahead of: She stood before the window.
3. awaiting: The golden age is before us.
4. in preference to; rather than: They would die before surrendering.
7. under the consideration or jurisdiction of: summoned before a magistrate.
8. in the face of: Before such wild accusations, he was speechless.
9. in the regard of: a crime before God and humanity.
10. in time preceding; previously: We've met before.
11. earlier or sooner.
12. in front; in advance; ahead.
13. previous to the time when: See me before you go.
14. sooner than; rather than: I will die before I submit.
[before 1000; Middle English beforen, Old English beforan=be by 1 + foran before (derivative of fore fore 1]


[əˈfɔːʳ] CONJ (archaic or dial) (esp Scot) → antes (de) que


(obs, dial)
References in classic literature ?
Tom; if it wasn't Bill Fawks as gen me the terrier pup istid o' drowndin't it, an' I had to jaw him a good un afore he'd give it me."
I wouldn't have toted it in, anyhow, if some of those high-falutin' fellows hadn't allowed, the other night, ez it were the reg'lar thing to do; as if, miss, any gentleman kalkilated to ever put on his hat in the house afore a lady!"
But I'd liefer you'd hearn the truth concernin myseln, fro my lips than fro onny other man's, though I never cud'n speak afore so monny, wi'out bein moydert and muddled.'
You'll excoose me refoosin' to talk of perfeshunal subjucts afore meals.
In the preface Caxton tells us how, after he had printed some other books, many gentlemen came to him to ask him why he did not print a history of King Arthur, "which ought most to be remembered among us Englishmen afore all the Christian kings; to whom I answered that diverse men hold opinion that there was no such Arthur, and all such books as be made of him be but fained matters and fables."
It cannot be long afore some of yonder brood will be nosing along the
Look at that hand of mine--many and many a job that hand has done, with a neatness and dex-terity, never known afore. When I look at that hand,' said Mr Dennis, shaking it in the air, 'and remember the helegant bits of work it has turned off, I feel quite molloncholy to think it should ever grow old and feeble.
'I must have a full suit of mourning, Fagin, and a hatband, to wisit him in, afore he sets out upon his travels.