| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024be•fore /bɪˈfɔr/USA pronunciation prep. - previous to;
earlier than: Call me before noon. - in front or ahead of: She stood before the window.
- in preference to;
rather than: They would die before surrendering. - in the presence or sight of: hated to appear before a live audience.
- under the consideration or jurisdiction of: She was summoned before a magistrate.
- viewed by;
as seen and judged by: a crime before God and humanity. - without figuring or deducting: What is your gross income before deductions?
adv. - in time preceding;
previously: Haven't we met somewhere before? - earlier or sooner:I think I saw her the week before.
conj. - previous to the time when: See me before you go.
- sooner than;
rather than: I will die before I give in.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024be•fore (bi fôr′, -fōr′),USA pronunciation prep. - previous to;
earlier or sooner than:Phone me before noon. - in front of;
ahead of;
in advance of:his shadow advancing before him; She stood before the window. - ahead of;
in the future of;
awaiting:The golden age is before us. - in preference to;
rather than:They would die before surrendering. - in precedence of, as in order or rank:We put freedom before wealth.
- in the presence or sight of: to appear before an audience.
- less than;
until: used in indicating the exact time:It's ten before three. - under the jurisdiction or consideration of:He was summoned before a magistrate.
- confronted by;
in the face of:Before such wild accusations, he was too stunned to reply. - in the regard of:a crime before God and humanity.
- under the overwhelming influence of:bending before the storm.
- without figuring or deducting:income before deductions.
adv. - in front;
in advance;
ahead:The king entered with macebearers walking before. - in time preceding;
previously:If we'd known before, we'd have let you know. - earlier or sooner:Begin at noon, not before.
conj. - previous to the time when:Send the telegram before we go.
- sooner than;
rather than:I will die before I submit.
- Middle English beforen, Old English beforan, equivalent. to be by + foran before (fore fore1 + -an adverb, adverbial suffix) bef. 1000
- 13.See corresponding entry in Unabridged after, behind.
- 14.See corresponding entry in Unabridged afterward.
- 15.See corresponding entry in Unabridged later.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: before /bɪˈfɔː/ conj (subordinating)- earlier than the time when
- rather than: he'll resign before he agrees to it
prep - preceding in space or time; in front of; ahead of: standing before the altar
- in the presence of: to be brought before a judge
- in preference to: to put friendship before money
adv - at an earlier time; previously; beforehand; in front
Etymology: Old English beforan; related to Old Frisian befara, Old High German bifora |