tofore meaning (obsolete): definition, etymology and quotations

tofore

prep

/təˈfɔː(ɹ)/

Etymology From Middle English tofore, toforn, from Old English tōforan (“in front of”), from tō (“to”) + foran (“front, fore-part”, n.), dative case of fora (“front”). Compare Dutch tevoren (“previously”), German zuvor (“before, previously”). More at to, fore.

1

Obsolete Before.

Derived terms: heretofore, theretofore, toforehand, toforetime, wheretofore

tofore

adv

Etymology From Middle English tofore, toforn, from Old English tōforan (“in front of”), from tō (“to”) + foran (“front, fore-part”, n.), dative case of fora (“front”). Compare Dutch tevoren (“previously”), German zuvor (“before, previously”). More at to, fore.

1

Obsolete Before, previously.

Farewell, Lavinia, my noble sister ; O would thou wert as thou tofore hast been!1592, William Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus:

tofore

conj

Etymology From Middle English tofore, toforn, from Old English tōforan (“in front of”), from tō (“to”) + foran (“front, fore-part”, n.), dative case of fora (“front”). Compare Dutch tevoren (“previously”), German zuvor (“before, previously”). More at to, fore.

1

Obsolete Before.