Ere prep. & adv.
1. Before; sooner than. [Archaic or Poetic]
Myself was stirring ere the break of day. --Shak.
Ere sails were spread new oceans to explore. --Dryden.
Sir, come down ere my child die. --John iv. 49.
2. Rather than.
I will be thrown into Etna, . . . ere I will leave her. --Shak.
Ere long, before, shortly. --Shak.
Ere now, formerly, heretofore. --Shak.
Ere that, ∧ Or are. Same as Ere. --Shak.