before: [OE] Before is a Germanic compound, made up of *bi- ‘by’ and *forana ‘from the front’ (the resulting *biforana entered Old English as beforan). The second element, *forana, is a derivative of *fora, source of English for; this originally meant ‘before’, and only gradually developed the senses we are familiar with today. => for
Old English beforan "before, in front of, in the presence of, in former times," from Proto-Germanic *bi- "by" + *forana "from the front," adverbial derivative of *fora (see fore (adv.)). Compare Old Frisian bifara, Old Saxon biforan, Old High German bifora, German bevor. Contrasting before and after in illustrations is from Hogarth (1768). Before the mast in old sailing ships denoting "common sailor," is from the place of their berths, in front of the fore-mast.
双语例句
1. The Koran recommends fasting as a penance before pilgrimages.
《古兰经》劝告人们在朝圣前斋戒，以作为一种补赎。
来自柯林斯例句
2. You have to pay your outstanding bill before joining the scheme.
在参加该项目之前必须结清余账。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Wash your hands thoroughly with hot soapy water before handling any food.
在拿吃的之前，用热肥皂水把手好好地洗干净。
来自柯林斯例句
4. One month before the deadline we see the hollowness of these promises.
离最后期限只有一个月时，我们认识到了这些许诺都是空头支票。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Before the race, he is fine. But afterwards he is worn out.
