Before the time in question (7)
I believe the answer is:
already
'before the time in question' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for already that I've seen before include "As early as this, so soon?" , "earlier than might have been expected" , "By the time in question" , "Indication of impatience (US)" , "Previously" .)