Main Entry:

¹for·mer

Pronunciation:

\ˈfȯr-mər\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from forme first, from Old English forma — more at foremost

Date:

12th century

1 a: coming before in time b: of, relating to, or occurring in the past <former correspondence>2: preceding in place or arrangement : foregoing <the former part of the chapter>3: first in order of two or more things cited or understood <of the two given, the former spelling is more common> <of the two spellings, the former is more common>4: having been previously : onetime <a former athlete>

synonyms see preceding