an·te·ri·or / anˈti(ə)rēər/ • adj. 1. technical, chiefly Anat. & Biol. nearer the front, esp. situated in the front of the body, or nearer to the head or forepart: the veins anterior to the heart. The opposite of posterior. ∎  Bot. (of a part of a flower or leaf) situated further away from the main stem.2. formal coming before in time; earlier.DERIVATIVES: an·te·ri·or·i·ty / anˌti(ə)rēˈôritē; -ˈär-/ n.an·te·ri·or·ly adv.

anterior
1. Designating the part of an animal that faces to the front, i.e. that leads when the animal is moving. In humans and other bipedal animals the anterior surface corresponds to the ventral surface.

2. Designating the side of a flower or axillary bud that faces away from the flower stalk or main stem, respectively. Compare posterior.

anterior XVII. — F. antérieur or L. anterior, f. ANTE- (after posterior); see -IOR.

anterior (an-teer-i-er) adj.
1. describing or relating to the front (ventral) portion of the body or limbs.

2. describing the front part of any organ. a. chamber the part of the eye between the cornea and lens, which is filled with aqueous humour.