The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Previous \Pre"vi*ous\, a. [L. praevius going before, leading the
   way; prae before + via the way. See Voyage.]
   Going before in time; being or happening before something
   else; antecedent; prior; as, previous arrangements; a
   previous illness.
   [1913 Webster]

         The dull sound . . . previous to the storm,
         Rolls o'er the muttering earth.          --Thomson.
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   Previous question. (Parliamentary Practice) See under
      Question, and compare Closure.

   Previous to, before; -- often used adverbially for
      previously. "Previous to publication." --M. Arnold. "A
      policy . . . his friends had advised previous to 1710."
      --J. H. Newman.
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   Syn: Antecedent; preceding; anterior; prior; foregoing;
        former.
        [1913 Webster]