Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In time preceding; antecedently; beforehand: often followed by to.
  • Synonyms Formerly, Previously. See formerly.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb Beforehand; antecedently.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb At an earlier time.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb at an earlier time or formerly

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

previous +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • In his second full season, 1955, Kaline hit .340 to become the youngest batting champ in American League history, a title previously held by Ty Cobb.

    My Bat Boy Days Steve Garvey 2008

  • In his second full season, 1955, Kaline hit .340 to become the youngest batting champ in American League history, a title previously held by Ty Cobb.

    My Bat Boy Days Steve Garvey 2008

  • SYNDROME X–The name previously used for the condition now referred to as Metabolic Syndrome.

    The Most Complete Food Counter, 2nd Edition Annette B. Natow Ph.d. 2006

  • It belongs to the land, in contrast to the sea, and seems to be intended to intensify and extend the meaning of the term previously used.

    Unwritten Literature of Hawaii The Sacred Songs of the Hula Nathaniel Bright Emerson 1877

  • This was not, I thought, quite so sure, but of course I acquiesced, as in duty bound; and matters went on pretty much as usual for seven or eight weeks, except that Mr Renshawe manifested much aversion towards myself personally, and at last served me with a written notice to quit at the end of the term previously stipulated for.

    Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 434 Volume 17, New Series, April 24, 1852 Various 1841

  • A show by the Saskatchewan abstract painter William Perehudoff currently at the tiny Poussin Gallery in deep southeast London; the incongruous, and oddly soothing, sound of Leslie Feist's new single being played at a dinner party on a recent holiday in France; the British press hailing Ryan Gosling as "the thinking woman's crumpet" - a title previously held by Michael Ignatieff.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed Leah McLaren 2011

  • Another name previously disclosed is a former Energy Dept. adviser

    msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines 2012

  • The state-run Korean Central News Agency KCNA described him for the first time as a "great person born of heaven" - a phrase previously bestowed only on his father and grandfather - and "the eternally immovable mental mainstay of the Korean people".

    The Guardian World News Tania Branigan 2011

  • The title previously belonged to Bridgette Jordan, 22, of the United States, who measures 2 feet, 3 inches tall.

    CNN.com 2011

  • Barrett said Owens was likely the first female police officer in the country, with the title previously thought to be held by a Portland, Ore., woman hired in 1908.

    Officer.com: Top News Stories 2010

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