former
noun
- object that gives shape to a curved structure
adjective
- previous
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈfɔɹmɚ/ / /ˈfɔːmə/
adj
Etymology: Inherited from Middle English former, comparative of forme (“first”), from Old English forma (“first”), descended from Proto-Germanic *frumô. Parallel to prior (via Latin), as comparative form from same Proto-Indo-European root. Related to first and fore (thence before), from Proto-Germanic.
- Previous.
“A former president”
“the former East Germany”
- First of aforementioned two items. Used with the, often without a noun.
“The former is a good idea but the latter is not.”
“We have two cars, a red one and a blue one. We won the former on a game show.”
noun
Etymology: Inherited from Middle English formere. By surface analysis, form + -er.
- Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.
“Dave was the former of the company.”
- An object used to form something, such as a template, gauge, or cutting die.
“The brick arch was built using a wooden former.”
- Someone in, or of, a certain form (class).
“Fifth-former.”
“Sixth-former.”