Word Direct Answers

What does "former" mean?

Former: (Mech.) (a) A shape around which an article is to be shaped, molded, woven wrapped, pasted, or otherwise constructed. (b) A templet, pattern, or gauge by which an article is shaped. (c) A cutting die.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior; earlier; hence, ancient; long past. For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age. Job. viii.
  2. 3.The latter and former rain. Hosea vi.
  3. 4.3. Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a discourse or argument.
  4. 5.Earlier, as between two things mentioned together; first mentioned. 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.

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