FORMER

former

(adjective) referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several); “the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one”

former, early(a), other

(adjective) belonging to the distant past; “the early inhabitants of Europe”; “former generations”; “in other times”

former, erstwhile(a), old, onetime, one-time, quondam, sometime

(adjective) belonging to some prior time; “erstwhile friend”; “our former glory”; “the once capital of the state”; “her quondam lover”

former

(noun) the first of two or the first mentioned of two; “Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Adjective

former (comparative form only)

Previous.

First of aforementioned two items. Used with the, often without a noun.

Synonyms

• (previous): erstwhile, sometime, whilom, wont-to-be; see also former

Antonyms

• (previous): next; see also subsequent

• (first of aforementioned two items): latter

Etymology 2

Noun

former (plural formers)

Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.

An object used to form something, such as a template, gauge, or cutting die.

(chiefly, British, used in combinations) Someone in, or of, a certain form (class).

Anagrams

• Reform, re-form, reform

Source: Wiktionary

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Form"er, n.

1. One who forms; a maker; a creator.

2. (Mech.) (a) A shape around which an article is to be shaped, molded, woven wrapped, pasted, or otherwise constructed. (b) A templet, pattern, or gauge by which an article is shaped. (c) A cutting die.

For"mer, a. Etym: [A compar. due to OE. formest. See Foremost.]

1. Preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior; earlier; hence, ancient; long past. For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age. Job. viii. 8. The latter and former rain. Hosea vi. 3.

3. Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a discourse or argument.

3. Earlier, as between two things mentioned together; first mentioned. A bad author deserves better usage than a bad critic; a man may be the former merely through the misfortune of an ill judgment; but he can not be latter without both that and an ill temper. Pope.

Syn.

– Prior; previous; anterior; antecedent; preceding; foregoing.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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