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definitions

ci-devant

[seeduh-vahn; English see-duh-vahn]
adjective French.
  1. former: used especially in reference to a retired officeholder.

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

Historical Examples of ci-devant

  • He nourished the hope that the ci-devant Vicomte might still be with La Boulaye.

  • It was the citizen of hearts replacing the ci-devant knave of hearts.

    The Gods are Athirst

    Anatole France

  • He had all the look, there was no denying it, of a ci-devant cleric.

    The Gods are Athirst

    Anatole France

  • How ardently he regretted that he had complied with the prayer of the ci-devant!

    A Stable for Nightmares

    J. Sheridan Le Fanu

  • Even the ci-devant Ranger inclines to a similar way of thinking.

    The Lone Ranche

    Captain Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for ci-devant

ci-devant

adjective
  1. (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