| 释义 |
former
I. form·er \ˈfȯrmər, ˈfȯ(ə)mə(r\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English, from formen to form + -er — more at form
1. : one that forms : maker, creator, shaper
< discipline is a former of character >
2. : a worker who forms materials into products or products from materials (as by cutting, pressing, bending, molding, or other hand or machine operation) — often used in combination with an attributive noun indicating the material acted on or the product produced
< a coil former >
< expert felt formers >
3. : a device, tool, or machine used to form some material or product: as
a. : a shape around or by which an article is to be shaped, molded, woven, wrapped, pasted, or otherwise constructed
< the former on which paper bags are pasted >
b. : a templet, pattern, gauge, guide, or block by which an article is shaped or bent
c. : forming die
d. : a device or machine for bending sheet metal into various forms (as tubes or cylinders)
e. : a machine used in ropemaking for twisting yarn into strands
4. [form (I) + -er] chiefly Britain : a member of a school form — usually used in combination
< sixth formers >
< invited the lower formers on a picnic >
II. for·mer adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from forme first (from Old English forma) + -er — more at foremost
1.
a. : preceding in order of time; usually : of, relating to, or occurring in the past : antecedent, previous, prior, earlier
< recovered some of her former ease >
< as we agreed in former correspondence >
b. obsolete : being far distant in time : ancient
2. : near the beginning : preceding
< the former part of a discourse or argument >
3. : first mentioned or in order of two things mentioned or understood
< of these two evils the former is the lesser >
4. obsolete : anterior in place or situation : front, foremost
5. : having been at some previous time : onetime, sometime
< former president of his fraternity >
< former members of the legislature > |