previous .'pruvios [adj only before noun] coming before the one that you are dealing with now: /п a previous chapter we con sidered how children learn language I He played the part of Tommy in a previ ous series of the shou).
earlier з:г1юг \adj only before noun] coming at some time before the one you have just mentioned - use this especially about something that is very different from what is happening now: These plays lack the wit and energy of his earlier work. I Harrison's latest remarks seems less
confident than his earlier statement.
tke one before (Ъ ,w,\n hib:[ the thing
that comes before another in a series: I don't like this song - the one before was much better. I In the series 2. 4. 8, 16. each number is twice as big as the one before.
above 3'bAV [adj only before noun] formal wririln use this in formal written English to talk about a person or thing that was mentioned earlier: Write to the above add ress for more information. I The above diagram shows a normal car engine.
the above (=the people or things mentioned earlier) Contact any of the above for more details. above \adv] the organizations mentioned above
BEGINNING
start
\ /
see
also
I
first
the beginning of something
the beginning /аэ brgmig/ \n singular]
the first part of an event, period of time, story etc
+ of It will be ready by the beginning of next week. I The beginning of the movie is uery violent. at the beginning There's a I ways a spelling test at the beginning of each class.
from the beginning (=a!l the time, from
the beginning of a long period) It u>as obuious from the beginning that his plan
was going to fail.
Start /sta:rt/ [n singular) the beginning of something, or the way that something begins
the start of sth The runners are now lining up for the start of the race. at the start At the start, their relationship was very good.
right from the start (=use this to emphasize that something has been true ail the time from when it started) We've had problems with this car right from the start. from start to jinish (=from the beginning to the end) a book that holds your attention from start to finish a good/bad start to sth Well, first the car broke down - which wasn't a very good start to the uocation.
origin /'ог^пЦ'э:-, 'a;-/ [n C] the origin of something is where it came from or how it first started to exist: AIDS became wide spread in the 1980s, but no-one is cer tain of its origin.
+ оfa dictionary that explains the origin
of words
starting point /stu:ftii] psint/ [n С
stop
finish
66
BEGINNING
usually singular] the starting point of something is where it begins or develops from; If you want to learn about working overseas this book would be a good starting point.
+ Jor/oJ They took the present situation in South Africa as the starting point for their discussion. I The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand is seen as the starting point of the war.
at the beginning
at the beginning/at the start
бэ bi'gmin, 3t cb 'sta:rt/ We agreed at the start that we would discuss any problems openly.
+ of Your rent is due at the beginning of every month. \ The team was doing well at the start of the season.
at /irst jgt f3:rst/ at the beginning of an event or period, especially when the situation later gets worse or better: Barney was shy at first, but gradually he became more confident.
A
initially /inipli/ [adu] at first - use this to say what happened at the beginning of a process or situation, especially when something different happened later: They offered her the job, initially on a temporary basis but later as a full member of staff. 1 Initially, the President didn't support this proposal. initial [adj only before noun] happening at first: My initial impression of Sadie was that she was shy and a little unhappy.
Initially is more formal than at first, and is often used to talk about business or politics. At first can be used in any situation.
originally -d^nali/ [adu] at
the beginning - use this to talk about the situation at the time when something first existed: She's Canadian, but her family originally came from Scotland. I Originally the book was published as a series of magazine articles. original 3'nd3in<?l, -d^nal/ [adj only before noun] existing at the beginning; The original owner of the painting was a friend of the artist.
early 3:rli [adv] near the beginning of an event, story, or period: I'll be seeing him early next week.
early in the game/story/century etc
United scored early in the game.