英汉词典

former 基本解释

• adj. 从前的，前者的；前任的
• n. 模型，样板；起形成作用的人
• n. (Former)人名；(法)福尔梅；(德、捷)福尔默

former 中文词源

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 英文词源

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.

former 英文释义

1. the first of two or the first mentioned of two;

"Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today"

former 同义词解析

previous, foregoing, preceding, prior, former

这些形容词均可表示"在前的"之意。

previous： 指时间上、顺序上较早的，或指正在谈论的某事的前一个。

foregoing： 指前所述的，是following的反义词。

preceding： 特指时间和地位上紧接在前。

prior与previous同义，常可换用，但prior有时强调更大的重要性，对比意味强。

former系latter的反义词，比prior更着重对比。

former 双语例句

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。

来自柯林斯例句

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。

来自柯林斯例句

3. The former owner had not left any forwarding address.

以前的房主没有留下任何转递地址。

来自柯林斯例句

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。

来自柯林斯例句

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。

来自柯林斯例句

former 实用场景例句

This beautiful old building has been restored to its former glory .

这座美丽的老建筑物已恢复了昔日的壮观。

牛津词典

the former world champion

前世界冠军

牛津词典

my former boss/colleague/wife

过去的老板 / 同事；前妻

牛津词典

The former option would be much more sensible.

前一种选择要明智得多。

牛津词典

He had to choose between giving up his job and giving up his principles. He chose the former.

他得在放弃工作和放弃原则二者中择其一。他选择了前者。

牛津词典

the countries of the former Soviet Union

前苏联加盟共和国

牛津词典

in former times

从前

牛津词典

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。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...former President Richard Nixon...

前总统理查德·尼克松

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...the former Soviet Union.

前苏联

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...the former Yugoslavia.

前南斯拉夫

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...the former home of Sir Christopher Wren.

克里斯托弗·雷恩爵士的旧居

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...a former monastery.

昔日的修道院

柯林斯高阶英语词典

He would want you to remember him as he was in former years.

他可能会希望你记住他早年的样子。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Given the choice between a pure white T-shirt and a more expensive, dirty cream one, most people can be forgiven for choosing the former...

如果要在一件纯白的 T 恤和一件更贵的脏兮兮的米色 T 恤之间选择的话，多数人都会选前者，这是无可厚非的。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

If the family home and joint pension rights are of equal value, the wife may choose the former and the husband the latter.

如果家庭住房和共同养老金具有同样的价值，妻子可能会选前者，而丈夫会选后者。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Her teemed with ideas.

她脑子里主意多.

期刊摘选

She is very virulent about her former employer.

她对她过去的老板恨之入骨.

《简明英汉词典》

Of the two the latter is better than the former.

二者中后者比前者好.

《现代英汉综合大词典》

He duplicated his former mistakes.

他又犯了和以前一样的错误.

《现代英汉综合大词典》

A former loafter, he is now an advanced worker.

他这个昔日浪子, 今日成了先进工作者.

《现代汉英综合大词典》

That forceful young woman edged out the former headmaster and is now headmaster herself.

那个强硬的年轻女人排挤走了前任校长,她现在自己当校长.

《简明英汉词典》

The robins occupied their former nest.

那些知更鸟占了它们的老窝.

《现代汉英综合大词典》

He'll go to great lengths to get his child back from his former wife.

不管花多大力气,他都要把孩子从前妻那里要回来.

《简明英汉词典》