Definition of Erstwhile

1. Adjective. Belonging to some prior time. "Her quondam lover"

Exact synonyms: Former, Old, One-time, Onetime, Quondam, Sometime
Similar to: Past

2. Adverb. At a previous time. "She was a dancer once"
Exact synonyms: At One Time, Erst, Formerly, Once

Definition of Erstwhile

1. adv. Till then or now; heretofore; formerly.

Definition of Erstwhile

1. Adverb. Formerly; in the past. ¹

2. Adjective. (context: literary legal) Former, previous. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Erstwhile

1. [adv]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Erstwhile

ersatz
ersatzer
ersatzers
ersatzes
ersatzism
ersatzist
ersatzists
ersatzness
erses
ersh
ershes
ershovite
erst
erster
ersters
erstwhile
erstwhile(a)
ertacalciol
erthine
ertixiite
ertumaxomab
erubescence
erubescency
erubescent
erubescite
eruca
erucic
erucic acid
erucic acids
eruciform

Literary usage of Erstwhile

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage by Inc. Merriam-Webster (1994)
"Erstwhile is also an uncommon, and whilom an archaic, adverb meaning “formerly.” The adverb erstwhile dates from the 15th century and is still in occasional ..."

2. Barry Sullivan and His Contemporaries: A Histrionic Record by Robert M. Sillard (1901)
"... sent us "—Manager Edward Eddy—Sullivan in Washington—His Beverley in the Gamester—He returns to New York to play at Burton's theatre—An erstwhile actor ..."

3. The Battle of Armageddonby Charles Taze Russell by Charles Taze Russell (1998)
"The erstwhile communists have returned to methods which scarcely differ ... The colony was on the point of breaking up, when the erstwhile leader of the ..."

4. An Englishman in Paris (Notes and Recollections) by Albert Dresden Vandam (1893)
"... the erstwhile director of the Gymnase—A lull in the storm—Tuesday, February 22nd—Another visit to the Cafe ..."

5. Hunt's Yachting Magazine (1864)
"Another short fortnight and the yachts' moorings will be given up to trawlers, erstwhile occupied by "flying fifties" will be taken up by Britannia's coal ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Erstwhile on Dictionary.com!Search for Erstwhile on Thesaurus.com!Search for Erstwhile on Google!Search for Erstwhile on Wikipedia!

Search