attrib.
1
- having previously filled a particular role or been a particular thing前任的; 曾经当过…的：
her former boyfriend.
她以前的男友。
1.1
- of or occurring in the past or an earlier period以前的, 从前的, 早先的：
in former times.
从前。
2
the former
denoting the first or first mentioned of two people or things（两者中）前者的：those who take the former view
那些持前一观点的人
as noun the powers of the former are more comprehensive than those of the latter.前者的权力比后者更广泛。
USAGE
Traditionally, former and latter are used in relation to pairs of items: either the first of two items （former） or the second of two items （latter）. The reason for this is that former and latter were formed as comparatives, and comparatives are correctly used with reference to just two things, while a superlative is used where there are more than two things. So, for example, strictly speaking one should say the longest of the three books but the longer of the two books. In practice, former and latter are now sometimes used just as synonyms for first and last and are routinely used to refer to a contrast involving more than two items. Such uses, however, are not acceptable in good English style.
词源
1
- a person or thing that forms something形成某事的人（或事）：
in combination an opinion-former.舆论制造者。
1.1
- a tool, mould, or other device used to form articles or shape materials模子, 模型, 成形设备：
an arch former.
拱模。
1.2
- a transverse strengthening part in an aircraft wing or fuselage（机翼、机身的）翼肋。
1.3
- a frame or core around which an electrical coil can be wound线圈架, 绕线模。
2
- in combination Brit. a person in a particular school year〈英〉某年级学生：
fifth-formers.
五年级学生。