Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
FORMER
I. adjective see: foremost
Date: 12th century
1. coming before in time, of, relating to, or occurring in the past , preceding in place or arrangement ; foregoing , first in order of two or more things cited or understood , having been previously ; onetime , see: preceding
II. noun
Date: 14th century
one that forms, a member of a school form