for·mer·ly \ˈfȯrmə(r)lē, -ȯ(ə)məlē, -li\adverb Etymology:former (II) + -ly 1.obsolete a.: in time immediately preceding : just before b.: beforehand, first 2.: in time past : in the time of an earlier or previous period : once, heretofore, previously < formerly there were giants in the world > < we formerly lived in the country > < a formerly prosperous area >