former: [12] Former is a comparative form based on Middle English forme ‘first (in time or order)’, on the analogy of the superlative foremost [16] (which was originally formost [12]; the modern spelling came about through association with fore and most). Forme itself goes back to Old English forma, which was a descendant of a prehistoric Germanic superlative from derived from *fora ‘before’ (whence also English first, for, and fore). So untangling the suffixal accretions of centuries, former means etymologically ‘more most before’. => first, for, fore, primary
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, through; before; first" (see per). 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.
former (n.)
"one who gives form," mid-14c., agent noun from form (v.). The Latin agent noun was formator.
雙語例句
1. The unemployed executives include former sales managers, directors and accountants.
被解雇的管理人員包括前銷售經理、主管和會計。
來自柯林斯例句
2. A former associate of Mr. Pierce's was among the project's boosters.
皮爾斯先生的一個前合伙人是這個計劃的熱心支持者之一。
來自柯林斯例句
3. The former owner had not left any forwarding address.
以前的房主沒有留下任何轉遞地址。
來自柯林斯例句
4. The airline plans to auction its international routes to former competitors.
這家航空公司打算把他們的國際線路拍賣給以前的競爭對手。
來自柯林斯例句
5. One former director embezzled $34 million in company funds.