Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BE-FORE'HAND, adv. [before and hand.]

1. In a state of anticipation or preoccupation; often followed by with; as, you are beforehand with me.
2. Antecedently; by way of preparation, or preliminary; aforetime. – Matth. xiii. 1 Tim. v.
3. In a state of accumulation, so as that more has been received than expended. A man is beforehand. In this use it is more properly an adjective.
4. At first; before any thing is done. – L'Estrange.