ante rem

adverb

an·​te rem
¦antē¦rem,
¦än-
variants or ante res
-¦rās
: prior in reality or existence to particulars
philosophical disputes over the proposition that universals exist ante rem
see avicennism

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, literally, before the thing

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near ante rem

Cite this Entry

“Ante rem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ante%20rem. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!