Form"er (?), n.
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.
© Webster 1913.
For"mer (?), a. [A compar. due to OE. formest. See Foremost.]
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.
© Webster 1913.