WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Form"er
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : 1. One who forms; a maker; a creator.

2. (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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : For"mer
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [A compar. due to OE. formest. See Foremost.]
Definition : 1. Preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior; earlier; hence, ancient; long past. For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age. Job. viii. 8. The latter and former rain. Hosea vi. 3.

3. Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a discourse or argument.

3. 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.

Syn. -- Prior; previous; anterior; antecedent; preceding; foregoing.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913