A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Thare-before,) Thar-befor, Thair-befor, adv. [ME and e.m.E. ðar biforen (c1200), ther biforn (Chaucer), ther byfore (c1430), there before (1592).] Before that time, previously. —1375 Barb. xix 262.
He had in France bene thar-befor With his moder dame Ysabell 1558 Rec. Earld. Orkney 110.
The assise ordanis the balȝe deput of Harray to be apon the grund and xij honest unsuspect men that ves laist with hym thair befor within xv dayis
