forinden

Forinden is an archaic or historical adverb and conjunction used in English to mean before now or previously. In textual contexts it typically introduces a statement about events or conditions that preceded the main clause. In modern English usage, forinden is rarely used except to convey antique or formal tone, or when quoting older sources.

Etymology and form: The word is of Germanic origin, likely formed as a compound involving for- meaning before and an element related to inden/innan meaning in front of or beforehand. It is attested in Middle English and Early Modern English writings, and similar forms appear in older Scandinavian texts.

Usage and contexts: Forinden appears most often in historical, religious, legal, or literary works. Its presence signals antiquarian style or translation of medieval manuscripts. Because it is obsolete in contemporary prose, modern writers employ more common equivalents such as before, previously, or beforehand.

Regional notes: In English, forinden survives primarily in scholarly editions, translations, or discussions of archaic language. In Scandinavian languages, historical texts may contain cognate forms with related senses, though the exact term for “beforehand” is not widely used in modern Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish outside of quotation or study of older sources.

See also: aforetime, previously, before now.