The DICT Development Group

  Former \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.
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              For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age. --Job.
                                                    viii. 8.
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              The latter and former rain.           --Hosea vi. 3.
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     3. Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a
        discourse or argument.
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     3. Earlier, as between two things mentioned together; first
        mentioned.
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              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.
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  Former \Form"er\, n.
     1. One who forms; a maker; a creator.
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     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.
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