AFORETIME is a phrase that is used to describe a period of time in the past. The term is composed of three words: ERST (4 letters), ERE (3 letters), and ONCE (4 letters). ERST is an archaic word meaning 'FORMERLY' or 'in the past'. ERE is an archaic word meaning 'BEFORE' or 'PREVIOUSLY'. ONCE is a word meaning 'at one time' or 'FORMERLY'. Together, these three words form the phrase AFORETIME, which can be used to refer to a period of time in the past.