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situated before or at the front of; fore (opposed to ).
going before in time or sequence; preceding; earlier:
events anterior to the outbreak of war.
Linguistics. (in distinctive feature analysis) articulated in the region extending from the alveolar ridge to the lips; alveolar, dental, or labial.
(in animals and embryos) pertaining to or toward the head or forward end of the body.
(in humans) pertaining to or toward the front plane of the body, equivalent to the ventral surface of quadrupeds.
Botany. on the front side and away from the main axis, as the lower lip of a flower.
Historical Examples

anteriorly it opens widely into the cerebral rudiment, and posteriorly into the ventricle of the mid-brain.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume III (of 4) Francis Maitland Balfour

anteriorly it does not form part of the margin of the anteorbital notch.
The Beaked Whales of the Family Ziphidae Frederick True

If the occlusion be not normal, the upper jaw and alveolar process will develop laterally as well as anteriorly.
Degeneracy Eugene S. Talbot

anteriorly the belly is a cream-color; posteriorly it is black.
The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michoacn, Mxico William E. Duellman

These sacks are provided with anteriorly directed ducts opening on the dorsal side of the mouth.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4) Francis Maitland Balfour

anteriorly, the neural crest extends as far as the roof of the mid-brain.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume III (of 4) Francis Maitland Balfour

Into the groove open mucous glands, a large one anteriorly and another opening into a posteriorly cloacal, branchial cavity.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 2 Various

Soon however each of them sends an anteriorly directed dorsal process (fig. 329).
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume III (of 4) Francis Maitland Balfour

anteriorly there is a prominence in the flexure of the wrist, and the distal fragment may be felt under the flexor tendons.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities–Head–Neck. Sixth Edition. Alexander Miles

The anterior surface of the postpalatal notch varies individually and may be truncate, anteriorly convex, or anteriorly concave.
North American Jumping Mice (Genus Zapus) Philip H. Krutzsch

adjective
situated at or towards the front
earlier in time
(zoology) of or near the head end
(botany) (of part of a flower or leaf) situated farthest away from the main stem
adj.

1610s, Latin, literally “former,” comparative of ante “before” (see ante). Related: Anteriority.

anterior an·te·ri·or (ān-tēr’ē-ər)
adj.

Placed before or in front.

Occurring before in time; earlier.

Of or relating to the front surface of the body, especially of the position of one structure relative to another; ventral.

Near the head or rostral end of certain embryos.

n.
The front surface of the body.