Definition of put before

The origin of the phrase "put before" can be traced back to the Old English language. In Old English, the phrase was "forðsettan," which was derived from the preposition "forð" meaning "before" and the verb "settan" meaning "to place" or "to put." The Old English word "forðsettan" was used in various contexts, such as to place something ahead of or in front of something else, to bring something before someone for their consideration, or to present something before an assembly or council. Over time, the Old English pronunciation of "settan" evolved into "seten," which in Middle English became "setten." The word "forðsettan" eventually became "foresetten" in Middle English, and finally, in Early Modern English, "put before" emerged as the modern form of the phrase. So, in essence, "put before" is a combination of two Old English roots that have been refined and adapted over the course of centuries to convey the meaning of "placing things in a particular order or position for consideration or presentation."