conjunction / preposition
ere
AIR/er/
Before a time or event.
The baker removes the loaves ere the waiting delivery cart departs.
Etymology
Old English ær already expressed being before something in time, preserving the central meaning of ere. Its superlative, meaning “earliest,” also survives in the first part of erstwhile.
In context
yet was it over ere Glorfindel's men could leap to his side.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
More examples
- They departed ere dawn.
- The old verse says ere long.
- He hoped to see home ere winter came.
Forms
ere
Similar words
- before
- The ordinary modern equivalent.
- prior to
- A formal equivalent used before a noun phrase.