anksčiau

comparative degree of anksti: earlier

tai

• Conj

  1. that, then (in that case); introduces a complement to the main clause
  2. first … then …

• Particle
• Pron

buvo

1. third-person singular past of būti
2. third-person plural past of būti

tarp

1. between (located in the middle of, connecting, dividing, or shared by two objects)
2. among, amid (surrounded or encompassed by)

priemonė

1. instrument, tool (object used to do something)
2. means, method (way of doing something)