erewhile

[ air-hwahyl, -wahyl ]

adverb

, Archaic.

1. a while before; formerly.

erewhile

/ ɛəˈwaɪl /

adverb

1. archaic.
   a short time ago; a little while before

Word History and Origins

Origin of erewhile¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; ere, while

Example Sentences

I did not now watch the actors; I no longer waited with interest for the curtain to rise; my attention was absorbed by the spectators; my eyes, erewhile fixed on the arch, were now irresistibly attracted to the semicircle of chairs.

From Literature

It is thrilling, whether at early dawn, or what time the darkening wing of Night begins to flap, to hear a shrill cry of "Hear, hear!" to see a well-known figure cleaving the astonished air, and to behold Joseph G-ll-s, erewhile upright on the eastern turret, prone on that which lifts its head nearer the setting sun.

From Project Gutenberg

There has been said to him by the reason within him the word that Virgil erewhile addressed to Dante: “Libero, dritto, e sano è il tuo arbitrio E fallo fora non fare a suo cenno; Per ch' io te sopra te corono e mitrio.”

From Project Gutenberg

The Queen had not ascended her throne when the erewhile opponents of the Measure confessed that these anticipations were already fulfilled.

From Project Gutenberg

Each contemplated the other with searching glance; both endeavoured to develop again out of the ruins of time those features which erewhile they had known and loved in one another.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• already
• earlier
• heretofore
• once