Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ERE, adv. [Sax. ær; G. eher; D. eer; Goth. air. This the root of early, and ær, in Saxon, signifies the morning. Before ever, we use or, “or ever.” Let it be observed that ere is not to be confounded with e'er, for ever.]

Before; sooner than. Ere sails were spread new oceans to explore. Dryden. The nobleman saith to him, Sir, come down ere my child die. John iv. In these passages, ere is really a preposition followed by a sentence, instead of a single word, as below.