Earlier in time; previously:
— I had known her before.
— As I said before.
— He called me the day before but your call had come even earlier.

synoniem: earlier.

Roget 62: before; in advance etc. (precession) 280.   

Roget 116: before, prior to; earlier; previously etc. adj.; afore^†, aforehand^†, beforehand, ere, theretofore, erewhile^†; ere then, ere now, before then, before now; erewhile^†, already, yet, beforehand; on the eve of.    ... meer laten zien

Roget 186: here, there, where, everywhere, aboard, on board, at home, afield; here there and everywhere etc. (space) 180; in presence of, before; under the eyes of, under the nose of; in the face of; in propria persona [Lat.].    on the spot; in person, in the flesh.    ... meer laten zien

Roget 609: optionally etc. adj.; at pleasure etc. (will) 600; either the one or the other; or at the option of; whether or not; once and for all; for one's money.    by choice, by preference; in preference; rather, before.    ... meer laten zien

At or in the front:
— With the cross of Jesus marching on before.

synoniemen: ahead, in front.

Roget 234: before; in front, in the van, in advance; ahead, right ahead; forehead, foremost; in the foreground, in the lee of; before one's face, before one's eyes; face to face, vis-a-vis; front a front.    ... meer laten zien

Roget 280: in advance, before, ahead, in the van, in the lead; foremost, headmost^†; in front; at the head, out in front; way out in front, far ahead.