Meaning and usage of the word ere in English

Meaning of vocabulary ere

ereconjunction, preposition

đây

/eə(r)//er/

Origin of the word ere

The Old English word "ǣre" (or "ere") is the origin of the modern English word "ere." In Old English, "ǣre" had a few different meanings, including "before," "previously," and "soon." The Old English form of the word evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "arzarā," which meant "earlier, before." Over time, the meaning of "ǣre" in Old English contracted and expanded, depending on its usage in a sentence. It was often used as a preposition, indicating time and order of events, and sometimes as an adverb, emphasizing proximity or immediacy. The use of "ere" in Early Middle English remained similar to its Old English origins, but its flexibility in meaning and functionality continued to grow. By the Late Middle English period, "ere" was used primarily as a conjunction, connecting two events in sequence and indicating time and causality. In modern English, the word "ere" has fallen out of common use outside of traditional or poetic contexts. Today, "before" and "soon" are more commonly used to convey similar meanings, and "ere" is typically reserved for historical or literary styles.

Vocabulary summary ere

typepreposition

meaning(archaic, archaic meaning), (poetry) before

exampleere while: before, formerly

exampleere long: not long, not long

typeconjunction

meaning(archaic, archaic meaning), (poetry) before

exampleere while: before, formerly

exampleere long: not long, not long

Example of vocabulary erenamespace

  • The medieval castle stood proudly on the hill for over 500 years, a testament to the ancient architecture of the era ere.
  • The sun had already set by the time we reached the campsite, leaving us in the dim light of the fire which flickered eerily in the stillness of the night ere the moon rose.
  • The painting seemed to come alive as our eyes met with the enigmatic gaze of the subject, captured so strikingly and accurately in the artist's brushstrokes ere he passed away.
  • The street performers entertained the crowd with their acrobatic feats, the audience cheering and clapping in excitement ere they disappeared into the night.
  • The soft rain fell quietly onto the pavement, peaceful and welcome after a summer of drought ere we rushed to take cover under the shelter of the nearest tree.

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