Ere (ār or âr; 277), prep. & adv. [AS. &aemacr_;r, prep., adv., & conj.; akin to OS., OFries., & OHG. ēr, G. eher, D. eer, Icel. ār, Goth. air. √204. Cf. Early, Erst, Or, adv.] 1. Before; sooner than. [Archaic or Poetic]
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Myself was stirring ere the break of day. Shak.
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Ere sails were spread new oceans to explore. Dryden.
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Sir, come down ere my child die. John iv. 49.
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2. Rather than.
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I will be thrown into Etna, . . . ere I will leave her. Shak.
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Ere long, before, shortly. Shak. -- Ere now, formerly, heretofore. Shak. -- Ere that, and Or are. Same as Ere. Shak.
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