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former (adj.)

"earlier in time," mid-12c., comparative of forme "first, earliest in time or order," from Old English forma "first," from Proto-Germanic *fruma-, *furma-, from PIE *pre-mo-, suffixed (superlative) form of root *per- (1) "forward," hence "in front of, before, first." Probably patterned on formest (see foremost); it is an unusual case of a comparative formed from a superlative (the Old English -m is a superlative suffix). As "first of two," 1580s.

also from mid-12c.

former (n.)

"one who gives form," mid-14c., agent noun from form (v.). The Latin agent noun was formator.

also from mid-14c.
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Trends of former

updated on September 28, 2017

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