FORMER

noun a cutting die.

2. former ·noun one who forms; a maker; a creator.

3. former ·noun a templet, pattern, or gauge by which an article is shaped.

4. former ·adj earlier, as between two things mentioned together; first mentioned.

5. former ·adj near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a discourse or argument.

6. former ·adj preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior; earlier; hence, ancient; long past.

7. former ·noun a shape around which an article is to be shaped, molded, woven wrapped, pasted, or otherwise constructed.