anteriorly
|an-te-ri-or-ly|
🇺🇸
/ænˈtɪriərli/
🇬🇧
/ænˈtɪəriəli/
before; toward the front
Etymology
'anteriorly' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'anterior', where the root 'ante-' meant 'before' and the comparative suffix '-ior' indicated 'more'.
'anterior' changed from Latin 'anterior' into Late Latin and Old French forms and entered Middle English as 'anterior'; the adverb 'anteriorly' was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective.
Initially, it meant 'coming before' or 'more forward' in Latin; over time it retained the meanings 'earlier in time' and 'toward the front' and these are preserved in modern usage of 'anteriorly'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
earlier in time; previously.
The treaty was anteriorly discussed by several committees before the final vote.
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Adverb 2
situated toward or at the front (used especially in anatomy).
On the X-ray the lesion appears anteriorly on the chest wall.
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Last updated: 2025/08/23 03:20