former

英['fɔːmə] 美['fɔrmɚ]

former 先前的

来自古英语forma的比较级，来自PIE*pre-mo, 最早的，*pre-, 在先，词源同far, *mo, 最高级后缀，词源同intimate, ultimate. 该词实际上是最高级的比较级。比较foremost.

former: 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.

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。

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。

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。

5. One former director embezzled $34 million in company funds.: 一名前主管挪用了3,400万美元的公司资金。