先せんに

adverb

formerly; previously; before

Refers to a past time or a prior state; often used in formal or written contexts. In modern speech, 以前に or 前に are more common.

• 先せんに述のべたように、この計けい画かくは中ちゅう止しとなりました。

  As previously stated, this plan has been cancelled.

• 彼かれは先せんに東とう京きょうに住すんでいたことがある。

  He formerly lived in Tokyo.