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[ adjective ] referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
Examples "the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967 I prefer the former version to the latter one" Used in print (Tom F. Driver, "Beckett by the Madeleine,"...)The latter is not reduced to the former . (Brainard Cheney, "Christianity and the Tragic Vision-Ut...)However , it is important to trace the philosophy of the French_Revolution to its sources to understand the common democratic origin of individualism and socialism and the influence of the latter on the former . (Hugh Kelly and Ted Ziehe, "Glossary Lookup Made Easy"...)The logical scheme used to accomplish the former influences the placement of information in the dictionary file . The former is intended to decrease the amount of work necessary to extend dictionary coverage . (Edward Streeter, The Chairman of the Bored....)Perhaps it was his misfortune , or good_fortune , whichever way one looked_at it , to belong_to the former group , and he was struggling unconsciously to build_up pressure in a world which demanded none , which was positively antagonistic to_it . Related terms |
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[ adjective ] belonging to some prior time
Examples "erstwhile friend" "our former glory" "the once capital of the state" "her quondam lover" Used in print (Charles Wharton Stork, "Verner von Heidenstam"...)He saw Sweden as a country of smug and narrow provincialism , indifferent to the heroic spirit of its former glory . (Brainard Cheney, "Christianity and the Tragic Vision-Ut...)a former Democratic candidate for President , a New_Deal poet , the magazine 's chief editorial writer , two newspaper_columnists , head of a national broadcasting_company , a popular Protestant evangelist , etc. . (Kenneth Reiner, "Coping with Runaway Technology"...)But hear Harrison_E._Salisbury , former Moscow correspondent of The_New_York_Times , and author of `` To_Moscow_-_And_Beyond '' . (William C. Smith, "Why Fear Ideas?"...)An inmate , a former university professor , expounded to us , logically and clearly , that someone was pilfering his thoughts . (Legislation on Foreign Relations. Committee on Foreign...)Upon such hearing , the Commission may affirm , modify , or revise its former action with_respect_to such claim , including a denial or reduction in the amount theretofore allowed with_respect_to such claim . Related terms |
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[ adjective ] (used especially of persons) of to the immediate past
Examples "the former president" "our late President is still very active" "the previous occupant of the White House" Used in print ("Editorials"...)According_to Friends , the unit was organized by John_Snook , a former World_War_/2 , commando who is vice_president and general_manager of the telephone_company . (Frank Oppenheimer, "Science and Fear-- A Discussion...)Our understanding of the solar_system has taught us to replace our former elaborate rituals with the appropriate action which , in this case , amounts to doing nothing . Related terms |
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