"Many years ___ . . ." (3)
I believe the answer is:
ago
(Other definitions for ago that I've seen before include "(Years) before the present time" , "Earlier, gone by" , "Previously" , "In past times" , "Back (in time)" .)
I believe the answer is:
ago
(Other definitions for ago that I've seen before include "(Years) before the present time" , "Earlier, gone by" , "Previously" , "In past times" , "Back (in time)" .)