aforeadv.[OE. afore, aforn, AS. onforan or tforan; pref. a- + fore.]1. Before.()If he have never drunk wine afore. (Shak.)2. (Naut.) In the fore part of a vessel.()prep.1. Before (in all its senses).()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.()