Aforetime

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Ποτέ (Strong'S #4218 — particle — pote — pot-eh' )

signifies "once, at some time,"  John 9:13 (cp. proteron, in   John 9:8 );  Ephesians 2:2,11;  Colossians 3:7;  Titus 3:3;  Philemon 1:11;  1—Peter 3:5,20 . In all these the RV translates it "aforetime." The AV varies it with "in time past," "some time," "sometimes," "in the old time."

2: Πρότερον (Strong'S #4386 — Adjective — proteron — prot'-er-on )

the comparative of pro, "before, aforetime," as being definitely antecedent to something else, is more emphatic than pote in this respect. See, e.g.,  John 6:62;  7:50;  9:8;  2—Corinthians 1:13;  Galatians 4:13;  1—Timothy 1:13;  Hebrews 4:6;  7:27;  10:32;  1—Peter 1:14 . See Before , First , Former.

King James Dictionary

AFO'RETIME, adv. afore and time. In time past in a former time.

Webster's Dictionary

(adv.) In time past; formerly.