Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously. "Joseph was in Egypt already."
Exod. i. 5.
I say unto you, that Elias is come already.
Matt. xvii. 12.
✍ It has reference to past time, but may be used for a future past; as, when you shall arrive, the business will be already completed, or will have been already completed.