anterior

UK: ænˈtɪə.ri.ər | US: ænˈtɪr.i.ɚ

Definition

  1. adj. situated before or toward the front

  2. adj. earlier in time or sequence

  3. adj. (anatomy) located near or toward the head or forward part of the body

Structure
ante <before>rior <comparative suffix>
Etymology

anterior = ante<before> + (e)rior<comparative suffix>

  • ante (Latin ante, meaning "before"): Indicates position or precedence in space/time.
  • (e)rior (Latin -ior, comparative suffix): Forms adjectives comparing degrees (e.g., "superior," "posterior").

Etymology Origin:
Derived from Latin anterior ("more before"), a comparative of ante ("before"). The term evolved in English (late 14th c.) to describe spatial/temporal precedence, later adopted in anatomy (18th c.) to denote frontal positioning. The logic mirrors Latin’s use of -ior for comparisons—here, "more forward" relative to a reference point.

Examples

  1. The anterior part of the brain controls cognitive functions.

  2. Fossils found in the anterior layers of rock are older.

  3. She felt pain in her anterior thigh after the sprint.

  4. The anterior chapters of the book introduce key concepts.

  5. In insects, the anterior legs are often adapted for grasping.