προτερέω

A. to be before, be in advance, Hdt. 9.57; π. τῆς ὁδοῦ to be forward on the way, ib.66.

2. of Time, to be beforehand with, get the start of, precede, opp. ὑστερέω, π. τῇ γενέσει τί τινος Arist. GA 741b35, cf. 775a26; ἡ ὄψις π. τῆς ἀκοῆς Id. Mete. 369b9; π. ἀστραπὴ βροντῆς Epicur. Ep. 2p.46U.; of abnormally precocious animals, Arist. HA 544b21; π. τοῖς χρόνοις to be earlier in date, D.S. 3.52, etc.; of plants, to be early, opp. ὑστερέω, Thphr. CP 3.24.2; π. εἰς τὴν φθοράν perish first, ib.4.2.1; of constellations, π. ἐν ταῖς ἀνατολαῖς τῶν κατ’ αὐτὰ δωδεκατημορίων Hipparch. 2.4.4.

3. to be beforehand, take the lead, Th. 1.33; οὐδὲν προτερήσετε you will gain no advantage, Philipp. ap. D. 18.39; ὁ πατήρ μου προετέρει παρὰ πάντας τοὺς ἐκεῖ outstripped them all (as a farmer), PSIl.c.; of soldiers, to be superior, have the advantage, Plb. 11.14.4, al.; κατὰ τὴν συμπλοκήν Id. 3.110.6; ταῖς εὐκινησίαις ἐν τοῖς διωγμοῖς D.S. 3.49; π. τῆς γνώμης carry one's motion, Id. 15.53: c. gen., have the advantage over, τὰ κακὰ τῶν ἀνὰ μέσον π. Chrysipp.Stoic. 3.188; πλοῦτον ‐οῦντα πενίας Phld. Rh. 1.236 S.; οὐδὲ τὸ παρὰ φύσιν π. τῆς φύσεως Sallust. 17 (cj. for πρότερον ἔχει):—Pass., to be defeated, ἐπροτερήθης διὰ τοῦ δικαστηρίου IG 5(2).443.35 (Megalopolis).

II. c. acc., go beyond, surpass, στοργᾷ φύσιν ἐπροτέρησεν IPE 2.299.9 (Panticapaeum).