ante

Latin

Alternative forms

• (preposition): a. (abbreviation)

Etymology

From Proto-Italic *anti, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂énti, locative singular of the root noun *h₂ent- (“front, front side”).

Cognates include Ancient Greek ἀντί (antí, “opposite, facing”), Sanskrit अन्ति (ánti), Old Armenian ընդ (ənd), Tocharian B ānte, and English and.

The change from PIE ablative to Latin accusative is like the confrontational accusative used with Ancient Greek παρά (pará).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈan.te/, [ˈän̪t̪ɛ]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈan.te/, [ˈän̪t̪e]

Preposition

ante (+ accusative)

1. indicates anteriority. before [ synonyms, antonym ▲]

   Synonyms: prae, prō

   Antonym: post

1. 1. of space. in front, before, forwards
      1. before, in the presence of, in the sight of [ quotations ▼]
   2. of time. before

      ante omnia ― first of all

      ante litteram (literally, “before the letter”)

   3. of importance. before, more than [ quotations ▼]

Adverb

ante (not comparable)

1. before, in front, forwards (of space)
2. before, previously (of time)

   ante diem V

1. 4th day before ("fifth" counting inclusively)