BEFO'REHAND, adverb [before and hand.] In a state of anticipation or preoccupation; often followed by with; as, you are before hand with me. 1. Antecedently; by way of preparation or preliminary; aforetime. Math.13. 1 Timothy 5:24. 2. 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. 3. At first; before any thing is done.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI