\Ere\ (?; 277), prep. & adv. [AS. ?r, prep., adv., & conj.;
akin to OS., OFries., & OHG. ?r, G. eher, D. eer, Icel.
[=a]r, 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.

\Ere\, v. t.
To plow. [Obs.] See {Ear}, v. t. --Chaucer.