ci-devant

American  

[seed^uh-vahn, see-duh-vahn] / sidəˈvɑ̃, ˌsi dəˈvɑ̃ /

adjective

French.

1. former: used especially in reference to a retired officeholder.

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ci-devant British  

/ sidəvɑ̃ /

adjective

1. (esp of an office-holder) former; recent

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Etymology

Origin of ci-devant

Literally, “heretofore”

Example Sentences

As a ci-devant intellectual I was one of the elect.

From Time Magazine Archive

One word only, a farewell one, on the subject of my ci-devant digressions; no, three words; I must say in my own justification. 1st.

From The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic Leighton Volume I by Barrington, Mrs. Russell

These last, under the direction of the ci-devant soldier, are collecting large stones, and laying them all round the head of the gorge.

From The Lost Mountain A Tale of Sonora by Reid, Mayne

They’re civil gents—” “Ha! ha! ha!” interrupted the cavalier, with a shout of laughter, as he seized his ci-devant servitor by the shoulder, and pushed him back upon the bench.

From The White Gauntlet by Reid, Mayne

Another applicant, who thirsted for military renown, was one, Louis Givanetti Pellion, "ci-devant Garde du Corps de S. M. le Roi de Sardaigne, aujourd'hui Controlleur de la Cour de S. Mo susdite."

From Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume II (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings by Bruce, Wiliam Cabell