adverb. Archaic. At a time in the past: already, before, earlier, erstwhile, formerly, once, previously.

What is definition of untimely?

1 : at an inopportune time : unseasonably. 2 : before the due, natural, or proper time : prematurely went untimely to the grave. untimely. adjective.

What archaic adverb comes from the Middle English and means before this time?

From Middle English before, bifore (adverb and preposition), from Old English beforan, from be- + foran (“before”), from fore, from Proto-Germanic *furai, from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“front”).