ci-devant

[ seeduh-vahn; English see-duh-vahn ]

/ sidəˈvɑ̃; English ˌsi dəˈvɑ̃ /

adjective French.

former: used especially in reference to a retired officeholder.

Nearby words

chérie, chārikār, chŏngjin, chŏnju, ci, ci-devant, cia, cia., ciabatta, ciano, ciao

Origin of ci-devant

literally, heretofore

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ci-devant

The ci-devant lady-killer was still gallant; but his fortune no longer permitted him to be gallant in the same measure as of yore.
The Flower Girl of The Chteau d'Eau, v.2 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XVI)|Charles Paul de Kock
It pleased that crafty soul of his to have his ci-devant rival under his roof, and to be able to watch him keenly.
Mohawks, Volume 2 of 3|Mary Elizabeth Braddon
A perfectly natural reaction appeared to urge the ci-devant mourners to robe themselves in lively checks and tartans.
A Versailles Christmas-Tide|Mary Stuart Boyd
The idea of being invited out to meet your ci-devant housemaid and cook!
Mildred Keith|Martha Finley

"You know what would happen if these ci-devant Masters got hold of Imperial crowns," Erskyll said.
A Slave is a Slave|Henry Beam Piper

British Dictionary definitions for ci-devant

ci-devant

/ French (sidəvɑ̃) /

adjective

(esp of an office-holder) former; recent

Word Origin for ci-devant

literally: heretofore

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ci-devant

adjective French.

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Nearby words

Origin of ci-devant

Examples from the Web for ci-devant

British Dictionary definitions for ci-devant

ci-devant

adjective

Word Origin for ci-devant