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former

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The definition of former is something that happened in the past or a previously held role.

(adjective)

An example of former is a person who was once a policeman but is now retired.
An example of former is the first thing mentioned in a serious of items.

See former in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

preceding in time; earlier; past: in former times
first mentioned of two: often used absolutely (with the): Jack and Bill are twins, but the former is taller than the latter

Origin: ME formere, compar. of forme, first < OE forma: see foremost

noun

a person or thing that forms

See former in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One that forms; a maker or creator: a former of ideas.
A member of a school form: a fifth former.

adjective

a. Occurring earlier in time.
b. Of, relating to, or taking place in the past.
Coming before in place or order; foregoing.
Being the first of two mentioned.
Having been in the past: a former ambassador.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , comparative of forme, first

Origin: , from Old English forma; see per¹ in Indo-European roots

Usage Note: Grammarians have often insisted that the phrases the former and the latter should be used only to refer to the first of two things and the second of two things, respectively, as in Ernest L. Thayer's “Casey at the Bat”: “But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake, and the former was a lulu and the latter was a fake.” It is easy to find violations of this rule in the works of good writers; nonetheless, many readers feel uneasy when the words are used in enumerations of more than two things, just as they would feel uneasy over the similar incorrect use of a comparative in a sentence such as Her boys are 7, 9, and 13; only the younger was born in California.

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