\A*fore"\, adv. [OE. afore, aforn, AS. onforan or
[ae]tforan; pref. a- + fore.]
1. Before. [Obs.]
         If he have never drunk wine afore.    --Shak.
2. (Naut.) In the fore part of a vessel.

\A*fore"\, prep.
1. Before (in all its senses). [Archaic]
2. (Naut.) Before; in front of; farther forward than; as,
   afore the windlass.
{Afore the mast}, among the common sailors; -- a phrase used
   to distinguish the ship's crew from the officers.