erst

[ urst ]

/ ɜrst /

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adverb Archaic.

before the present time; formerly.

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True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

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Origin of erst

before 1000; Middle English erest,Old English ǣrest (cognate with Old High German ērist,German erst), equivalent to ǣrere + -est-est¹

Words nearby erst

ers, ersatz, Erse, Ershad, Erskine, erst, erstwhile, ERT, Erté, Ertebølle, erub

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use erst in a sentence

Gentle-bosomed, kindly hearted, erst they wiped each other's eye, Now by common sorrow laden none for sister heaved a sigh!
Maha-bharata|Anonymous
To and fro and up and down in the house went the erst waiting-woman to my Lady Squander, carrying matters with a high hand.
Audrey|Mary Johnston
But when she was upright on her feet, she hardened her heart, and went forth into the hall, and no less was her wonder than erst.
The Water of the Wondrous Isles|William Morris
Yea, she said, as erst I spake, all things considered I deem that thou hast done much.
The Water of the Wondrous Isles|William Morris

Then he spoke again, not mockingly as erst: A word before we end it, Thomas: thou hast hitherto done well by me, as I by thee.
The Water of the Wondrous Isles|William Morris

British Dictionary definitions for erst

erst

/ (ɜːst) /

adverb archaic

long ago; formerly

at first

Word Origin for erst

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

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