Ere
/ɛər/noun
A poetic or archaic term meaning 'before' or 'previous to'.
Did you know?In medieval poetry, 'ere' was often used in incantations and hymns, invoking a sense of urgency and the supernatural.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*eṛe
“to rise, to be elevated, or to go forth.”
Old English
Old English
ǣr
“before, early, or previously.”
Middle English
Middle English
ere
“before, prior to.”
Modern English
English
ere
“poetically or archaically before.”