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.

&fist; 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.

• before in place; earlier in time
  
• (anatomy) nearer the head or the front