Formerly
['fɔːməlɪ] or ['fɔrmɚli]
Definition
(adv.) In time past, either in time immediately preceding or at any indefinite distance; of old; heretofore.
Edited by Hilda
Synonyms and Synonymous
ad. Heretofore, anciently, aforetime, of old, in times past, in days of yore, long ago, in past ages.
Inputed by Jane
Unserious Contents or Definition
painting and sculpture were combined in the same work: the ancients painted their statues. The only present alliance between the two arts is that the modern painter chisels his patrons.
Checked by Cindy
Examples
- Stephenson laid down new rails at Killingworth with half-lap joints, or extending over each other for a certain distance at the ends, instead of the butt joints that were formerly used. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- A debate is not what a debate used to be; the House is not what the House used to be; even a Cabinet is not what it formerly was. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Now look at the Galeopithecus or so-called flying lemur, which was formerly ranked among bats, but is now believed to belong to the Insectivora. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- These wells are now made with larger diameters than formerly, and altogether their construction has been rendered much more easy in modern times. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Formerly, when I was very young, we had mutually sought each other. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Formerly, they were turned towards the posting-house; now, they are turned towards the prison. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- We have used for a number of years in this laboratory a form of constant water bath which was contrived by Mr. Edward Bogardus, formerly chemist to the New Jersey State Geological Survey. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- I was lodging with a comical old widow, who had formerly been my sister Fanny's nurse when she was quite a child. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- It was formerly used for pumping a mine. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- What was formerly a seat of the family of Seymour, is now an inn upon the Bath road. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Formerly augers and similar boring tools had merely a curved sharpened end and a concavity to hold the chips, and the whole tool had to be withdrawn to empty the chips. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Her constant visitor was a most sanguine Bonapartist, who had formerly been employed by that emperor as ambassador to the court of Naples. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- It is the lady as formerly objected. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- I meant,' exclaimed Wegg, testily, 'to the party as formerly objected? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- At that period, I believe he could have attached himself to me very sincerely; more so than formerly. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- I warn't locked up as often now as formerly, but I wore out my good share of key-metal still. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- What if her interest in him were not so entirely that of a relative as it had formerly been? Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Here was again a want of delicacy and regard for others which had formerly so struck and disgusted her. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- The timber that had formerly grown upon both banks, and for a considerable distance out, was still standing. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which had formerly been in part my own. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- Formerly, Miss Keeldar, I had some influence with you: have I any now? Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Formerly ensilage corn was cut shortly after the tassel appeared. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- We have also formerly seen that parts many times repeated are eminently liable to vary, not only in number, but in form. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Acheson, formerly one of his staff: I once made an experiment in Edison's laboratory at Menlo Park during the latter part of 1880, and the results were not as looked for. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Formerly Caroline Jellyby, spinster, then of Thavies Inn, within the city of London, but extra-parochial; now of Newman Street, Oxford Street. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Nothing in this appearance was at all singular but the fact of its great difference from what he had formerly been. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Vail, formerly one of the Menlo Park staff. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- I formerly spoke to very many naturalists on the subject of evolution, and never once met with any sympathetic agreement. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- Simon the Tanner formerly lived here. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- I used to be, formerly. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
Checked by Cindy