beforehand meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

beforehand

adv

UK /bɪˈfɔːhænd/ · US /bɪˈfɔɹhænd/

Etymology From Middle English biforhand, biforhond, beforehonde, bifornhand, equivalent to before + hand. [13th century. After Old French avant main].

At an earlier or preceding time.

Will it be possible to have access to the room beforehand so that we can set up chairs?
I love playing tennis but I always get so nervous beforehand.

2 more examples

Weeks beforehand, I had bought the tickets for the concert.
Prosecutors also said Wednesday their side “does not intend to reference allegations that the defendant violated FARA or improperly coordinated with the Obama Administration,” referring to the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires people who lobby on behalf of foreign clients to register beforehand with the US government.2024 August 7, Marshall Cohen, “Prosecutors claim Hunter Biden once agreed to lobby US on behalf of Romanian businessman”, in CNN:

beforehand

adj

Etymology From Middle English biforhand, biforhond, beforehonde, bifornhand, equivalent to before + hand. [13th century. After Old French avant main].

Obsolete In comfortable circumstances as regards property; forehanded.

rich and much beforehand1626, Francis Bacon, New Atlantis:

Archaic, Often, Followed by with In a state of anticipation or preoccupation.

Agricola […] resolves to be beforehand with the danger.1670, John Milton, “(please specify the page)”, in The History of Britain, that Part Especially now Call’d England. […], London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for James Allestry, […] , →OCLC:
The last cited author has been beforehand with me.1716 April 16 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 31. Thursday, April 6. [1716.]”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; […], volume IV, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1721, →OCLC:

1 more example

[…] the medical attendant ought to be rather beforehand with the symptoms of excitement, and to diminish the large quantity of wine before they appear.1839, London Medical Gazette: Or, Journal of Practical Medicine:

Derived terms: beforehand in the world, beforehand with the world