former1

[fawr-mer] /ˈfɔr mər/
adjective
1.
preceding in time; prior or earlier:
during a former stage in the proceedings.
2.
past, long past, or ancient:
in former times.
3.
preceding in order; being the first of two:
Our former manufacturing process was too costly.
4.
being the first mentioned of two (distinguished from latter):
The former suggestion was preferred to the latter.
5.
having once, or previously, been; erstwhile:
a former president.
Origin
1125-75; Middle English, equivalent to forme (Old English forma first) + -er -er4. Cf. foremost
Synonyms
3. foregoing, antecedent. 5. past, ex-.

former2

[fawr-mer] /ˈfɔr mər/
noun
1.
a person or thing that forms or serves to form.
2.
a pupil in a particular form or grade, especially in a British secondary school:
fifth formers.
Origin
1300-50; Middle English fourmer. See form, -er1
Examples from the web for former
  • former football player committed to promoting all sports.
  • Words from our former senior editor for photography.
  • How the latter can tell us more about our origins than the former.
  • former students play catch up with their former teachers and professors.
  • They have often threatened to retaliate in the past when former junta leaders faced prosecution.
  • Our majestic national bird is flying high over much of its former range and may soon be off the endangered list.
  • former skeptics develop an alternative hybrid system.
  • Photographs and other historical records testify to the former abundance of the sea.
  • The former patent powerhouse works on new therapies.
  • The new space has the same bones, but more function and style than in its former life.
British Dictionary definitions for former

former1

/ˈfɔːmə/
adjective (prenominal)
1.
belonging to or occurring in an earlier time: former glory
2.
having been at a previous time: a former colleague
3.
denoting the first or first mentioned of two: in the former case
4.
near the beginning
noun
5.
the former, the first or first mentioned of two: distinguished from latter

former2

/ˈfɔːmə/
noun
1.
a person or thing that forms or shapes
2.
(electrical engineering) a tool for giving a coil or winding the required shape, sometimes consisting of a frame on which the wire can be wound, the frame then being removed
Word Origin and History for former
adj.

"earlier in time," mid-12c., comparative of forme "first," patterned on formest "foremost" (see foremost). An unusual case of a comparative formed from a superlative (the -m- is a superlative element).

n.

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