a. [ L. anterior, comp. of ante before. ]
Antigonus, who was anterior to Polybius. Sir G. C. Lewis. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ In comparative anatomy, anterior often signifies at or toward the head, cephalic; and in human anatomy it is often used for ventral. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ LL. anterioritas. ] The state of being anterior or preceding in time or in situation; priority. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In an anterior manner; before. [ 1913 Webster ]