FORMELL
For"mell, n. Etym: [Dim. of F. forme the female of a bird of prey.]
(Zoöl.)
Defn: The female of a hawk or falcon.
FORMER
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.
FORMER
For"mer, a. Etym: [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.