πρότερον; [1 verse](adj sg masc acc) "Before" is from proteros, which means of place: "before", "in front," of time: "former", "earlier", "superior [in rank]," "foremost [in place]", "first [of time]", "first in order of existence [in philosophy]", "primary", "highest degree," as a noun: "first part", "beginning", "primary things", "elements," and, as an adverb, "before", "earlier."