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run before. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
run before, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
run before in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
run before you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Verb
run before (third-person singular simple present runs before, present participle running before, simple past ran before, past participle run before)
- (archaic, transitive) To flee from (something); to run away from (something).
1888, Ernest Rhys, editor, Songs from the Edda, page 166:In such wise did Helgi
Deal fear around To all his foes
And all their friends
As when the goat runneth
Before the wolf's rage
Filled with mad fear
Down from the fell
1600, William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, page 73:Thou runnest before me, shifting every place,
and darest not stand, nor look me in the face
- (archaic) To precede (something); to anticipate (something).
1858, John Heywood, edited by John S. Farmer, The Proverbs of John Heywood, London, page 205:Thy tongue runneth before thy wit.
1638, A. Jhonston, Acts of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, page 34:although calumnie often starteth first and runneth before, yet veritie follow followeth her at the heels
- (archaic, intransitive) To excel or be better than someone.
1609, Boethius, Boethius: The Theological Tractates, page 309:Thou runnest before rightly