Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Anterior \An*te"ri*or\, a. [L. anterior, comp. of ante before.]
   1. Before in time; antecedent.

            Antigonus, who was anterior to Polybius. --Sir G. C.
                                                  Lewis.

   2. Before, or toward the front, in place; as, the anterior
      part of the mouth; -- opposed to posterior.

   Note: In comparative anatomy, anterior often signifies at or
         toward the head, cephalic; and in human anatomy it is
         often used for ventral.

   Syn: Antecedent; previous; precedent; preceding; former;
        foregoing.

Source : WordNet®

anterior
     n : a tooth situated at the front of the mouth; "his
         malocclusion was caused by malposed anteriors" [syn: {front
         tooth}]

anterior
     adj 1: of or near the head end or toward the front plane of the
            body [ant: {posterior}]
     2: earlier in time [syn: {prior(a)}]