Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ere \Ere\ (?; 277), prep. & adv. [AS. ?r, prep., adv., & conj.;
   akin to OS., OFries., & OHG. ?r, G. eher, D. eer, Icel.
   [=a]r, Goth. air. [root]204. Cf. {Early}, {Erst}, {Or}, adv.]
   1. Before; sooner than. [Archaic or Poetic]

            Myself was stirring ere the break of day. --Shak.

            Ere sails were spread new oceans to explore.
                                                  --Dryden.

            Sir, come down ere my child die.      --John iv. 49.

   2. Rather than.

            I will be thrown into Etna, . . . ere I will leave
            her.                                  --Shak.

   {Ere long}, before, shortly. --Shak.

   {Ere now}, formerly, heretofore. --Shak.

   {Ere that}, & {Or are}. Same as {Ere}. --Shak.