erstwhile

== English == === Etymology === From erst (“first, formerly”) +‎ while. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈɜː(ɹ)st.waɪl/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈɝst.waɪl/ === Adverb === erstwhile (not comparable) (formal or literary) Formerly; in the past. ==== Synonyms ==== erewhile ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === erstwhile (not comparable) (literary, law or India) Former, previous. Synonyms: former, once, previous, quondam, onetime; see also Thesaurus:former (proscribed) Respected, honourable. ==== Usage notes ==== The use of erstwhile to mean “respected” stems from a conflation with esteemed in phrases such as erstwhile colleague and is proscribed by most authorities. ==== Translations ==== === References === === Anagrams === wehrlites