before

• In the course of it, I told him that when, on reaching the inn at Weimar, I asked the waiter whether Goethe was then in the town, the man stared as if he had not heard the name before; and that on my repeating the question, adding Goethe der grosse dichter (the great poet), he shook his head as doubtfully as {p.238} before--until the landlady solved our difficulties, by suggesting that perhaps the traveller might mean "the Herr Geheimer-Rath (Privy Counsellor) Von Goethe_." —  Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume V (of 10)
• She had never used the word before, and she enjoyed the pain it gave her There were no merciful shadows in the room: daylight poured in at the windows and revealed Helen standing with hands clasped before her and gazing with wide eyes at Miriam's pale face, her parted lips, her horrified amazement George?" —  Moor Fires
• But, if she wants to see her sister, it must be before--before she's laid in A strong shudder passed over her Oh! —  Janet's Love and Service
• "They have been down the brae with Emily all the day, but they are coming home now; and, my dear, they havena been ben yonder, and I think they should see her before--before she's moved, and I dinna like to disturb your father. —  Janet's Love and Service
• She must have put it there before--before If you have a shred of pity or of love for me, give it and go," gasped the boy Kano rose with slow dignity. —  The Dragon Painter

Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms