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.
例文
1. The unemployed executives include former sales managers，directors and accountants.
解雇された管理職には、元営業マネージャ、エグゼクティブ、会計が含まれます。
2.A former associate of Mr.Pierce 's was among the project 's boosters.
ピアース氏の元パートナーは、この計画の熱心な支持者の一人だ。
3.The former owner had not left any forwarding address.
以前の家主は転送先を残していませんでした。
4.The airline plans to auction its international routes to former competitors.
この航空会社は彼らの国際線を以前のライバルに競売にかけるつもりだ。
5.One former director embezzled$34 million in company funds.