Pronunciation : Erst
Part of Speech : adv.
Etymology : [Orig. superlative of ere; AS. . See Ere.] [Archaic]
Definition : 1. First. Chaucer.
2. Previously; before; formerly; heretofore. Chaucer. Tityrus, with whose style he had erst disclaimed all ambition to match his pastoral pipe. A. W. Ward. At erst, at first; at the beginning. -- Now at erst, at this present time. Chaucer.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913