erst

[ urst ]

adverb

, Archaic.

1. before the present time; formerly.

erst

/ ɜːst /

adverb

1. long ago; formerly
2. at first

Word History and Origins

Origin of erst¹

before 1000; Middle English erest, Old English ǣrest (cognate with Old High German ērist, German erst ), equivalent to ǣr ere + -est -est ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of erst¹

Old English ǣrest earliest, superlative of ǣr early; see ere ; related to Old High German ērist, Dutch eerst

Example Sentences

Frequent is heard the voice of woe, Frequent the tears of sorrow flow; Such sounds as erst, in Camlan heard, Roused to wrath old Arthur’s bard; Cambria’s warrior we deplore; Our Llewelyn is no more.

From Project Gutenberg

A stable, erst his scorn and hate, Was now become his wish’d retreat; His passion cool, his pride forgot, A FARMER’S welcome yard he sought.

From Project Gutenberg

A Would-be "Literary Gent."—The following is from the Daily Telegraph:— Literary.—A gentleman who erst wrote for recreation, is driven, through cruel misfortune, to resume his pen for a livelihood.

From Project Gutenberg

He brought them into the basilica, a long open gallery which lighted the various apartments, and in which clients and visitors erst awaited the call of the Nomenclator.

From Project Gutenberg

The former still writes; the latter, erst a gay man of fashion and then metamorphosed into a zealous Jesuit, is now devoting his missionary labors to Syria.

From Project Gutenberg