n.
a. [ A compar. due to OE. formest. See Foremost. ]
For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age. Job. viii. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]
The latter and former rain. Hosea vi. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]
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.
‖n. [ F. ] (Arch.) One of the half ribs against the walls in a ceiling vaulted with ribs. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In time past, either in time immediately preceding or at any indefinite distance; of old; heretofore. [ 1913 Webster ]