run before

present singular third person runs before · participle present running before · past ran before

1. archaictransitiveTo flee from (something); to run away from (something).

   Thou runnest before me, shifting every place, and darest not stand, nor look me in the face

   1600, William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, page 73

   1 more example

   In such wise did Helgi Deal fear around To all his foes And all their friends As when the goat runneth Before the wolf's rage Filled with mad fear Down from the fell

   1888, Ernest Rhys, editor, Songs from the Edda, page 166

2. archaicTo precede (something); to anticipate (something).

   Thy tongue runneth before thy wit.

   1858, John Heywood, edited by John S. Farmer, The Proverbs of John Heywood, London, page 205

   1 more example

   although calumnie often starteth first and runneth before, yet veritie follow followeth her at the heels

   1638, A. Jhonston, Acts of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, page 34

3. archaicintransitiveTo excel or be better than someone.

   Thou runnest before rightly

   1609, Boethius, Boethius: The Theological Tractates, page 309