King James Bible Dictionary

FORM'ER, noun He that forms; a maker; an author.

FOR'MER, adjective comparative deg.

1. Before in time; preceding another or something else in order of time; opposed to latter.

Her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled. Deuteronomy 24:4.

2. Past, and frequently ancient, long past.

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

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

4. Mentioned before another.

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

FOR'MERLY, adverb In time past, either in time immediately preceding, or at any indefinite distance; of old; heretofore. We formerly imported slaves from Africa. Nations formerly made slaves of prisoners taken in war.