Definitions for: Former

[n] the first of two or the first mentioned of two; "Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today"

Webster (1913) Definition: Form"er, n.
1. One who forms; a maker; a creator.

2. (Mech.)
(a) A shape around which an article is to be shaped,
molded, woven wrapped, pasted, or otherwise
constructed.
(b) A templet, pattern, or gauge by which an article is
shaped.
(c) A cutting die.

For"mer, a. [A compar. due to OE. formest. See
Foremost.]
1. Preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior;
earlier; hence, ancient; long past.

For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age. --Job.
viii. 8.

The latter and former rain. --Hosea vi. 3.

3. Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a
discourse or argument.

3. Earlier, as between two things mentioned together; first
mentioned.

A bad author deserves better usage than a bad
critic; a man may be the former merely through the
misfortune of an ill judgment; but he can not be
latter without both that and an ill temper. --Pope.

Syn: Prior; previous; anterior; antecedent; preceding;
foregoing.

Antonyms: latter

See Also: first, number one

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