anterior Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a tooth situated at the front of the mouth
front tooth.
- his malocclusion was caused by malposed anteriors
adjective of or near the head end or toward the front plane of a body
adjective satellite earlier in time
prior.

L. anterior, comp. of ante before.

Before in time; antecedent.
Antigonus, who was anterior to Polybius. Sir G. C. Lewis.
Before, or toward the front, in place; as, the anterior part of the mouth; -- opposed to posterior. ✍ In comparative anatomy, anterior often signifies at or toward the head, cephalic; and in human anatomy it is often used for ventral. Syn. -- Antecedent; previous; precedent; preceding; former; foregoing.