Ere [AS. r, prep., adv., & conj.; akin to OS., OFries., & OHG. r, G. eher, D. eer, Icel. ar, Goth. air. &root;204. Cf. Early, Erst, Or, 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.
© Webster 1913.
Ere (?), v. t.
To plow. [Obs.] See Ear, v. t.
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.