| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
| |
| erstwhile (adv., adj.), erstwhiles (adv.) |
| |
| |
| The adverbs, which mean “formerly, long ago,” are archaic, as in We lived there erstwhile[s], when our ancestors were young. The adjective, meaning “former, once-upon-a-time,” is still in use, although it has an old-fashioned quality about it, as in When we returned we saw a few of our erstwhile acquaintances. Former would have a less literary air, perhaps. Compare QUONDAM; SOME TIME; WHILOM. | 1 |
| |
| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
|
|
