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.
实用例句
1. The unemployed executives include former sales managers, directors and accountants.
被解雇的管理人员包括前销售经理、主管和会计。
来自柯林斯例句
2. A former associate of Mr. Pierce's was among the project's boosters.
皮尔斯先生的一个前合伙人是这个计划的热心支持者之一。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The former owner had not left any forwarding address.
以前的房主没有留下任何转递地址。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The airline plans to auction its international routes to former competitors.
这家航空公司打算把他们的国际线路拍卖给以前的竞争对手。
来自柯林斯例句
5. One former director embezzled $34 million in company funds.