When the butt is out, we will drink water; not a drop before.
Shak.
Before is often used in self-explaining compounds; as, before-cited, before-mentioned; beforesaid.
Be*fore"hand` (&?;), adv. [Before + hand.] 1. In a state of anticipation ore preoccupation; in advance; -- often followed by with.
Agricola . . . resolves to be beforehand with the danger.
Milton.
The last cited author has been beforehand with me.
Addison.