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quondam

[kwon-duh m, -dam]
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adjective
  1. former; onetime: his quondam partner.
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Origin of quondam

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1580–90
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for quondam

Historical Examples

  • Do you not recognize my quondam tutor and the once dauntless Meg?

    Ernest Linwood

    Caroline Lee Hentz

  • At the peace Washington demanded the return of these quondam slaves.

  • And have you never been detected by any of your quondam associates?

    Paul Clifford, Complete

    Edward Bulwer-Lytton

  • It appeared that he had been highly popular among his quondam guests.

  • However, with the dainty volume my quondam friend sprang into fame.

    The Celebrity, Complete

    Winston Churchill

British Dictionary definitions for quondam

quondam

adjective
  1. (prenominal) of an earlier time; formerher quondam lover
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Word Origin

C16: from Latin adv: formerly
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

Word Origin and History for quondam

adj.

"one-time, former," 1580s, from earlier use as an adverb ("formerly") and a noun ("former holder" of some office or position), both 1530s, from Latin quondam (adv.) "formerly, at some time, at one time; once in a while," from quom, cum "when, as" (see who) + demonstrative ending -dam.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper