ere Meaning, Definition & Usage

Ere preposition & adverb

Etymology

AS. r, prep., adv., & conj.; akin to OS., OFries., & OHG. r, G. eher, D. eer, Icel. ar, Goth. air. Cf. Early, Erst, Or, adv.

Definitions

1. Before; sooner than. Archaic or Poetic

   Myself was stirring ere the break of day. Shak.

   Ere sails were spread new oceans to explore. Dryden.

   Sir, come down ere my child die. John iv. 49.

2. Rather than.

   I will be thrown into Etna, . . . ere I will leave her. Shak.

Ere transitive verb

Definitions

1. To plow. Obs. See Ear, v. t. Chaucer.