Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Peter Mark Roget

116. Priority — N. priority, antecedence, anteriority, precedence,

pre-existence; precession &c 280; precursor &c 64; the past &c 122; premises. V. precede, come before; forerun; go before &c (lead) 280; preexist; dawn; presage &c 511; herald, usher in. be beforehand &c (be early) 132; steal a march upon, anticipate, forestall; have the start, gain the start. Adj. prior, previous; preceding, precedent; anterior, antecedent; pre- existing, pre-existent; former, foregoing; aforementioned, before- mentioned, abovementioned; aforesaid, said; introductory &c (precursory) 64. Adv. before, prior to; earlier; previously &c adj.; afore†, aforehand†, beforehand, ere, theretofore, erewhile†; ere then, ere now, before then, before now; erewhile†, already, yet, beforehand; on the eve of. Phr. prior tempore prior jure [Lat.].