quondam
UK: ˈkwɒndæm | US: ˈkwɑːndæm
adj. former; that once was
adj. erstwhile; at a past time
quondam = quond<formerly> + am<adverbial suffix>
- quond<formerly>: From Latin quondam, meaning "at one time" or "formerly." Derived from quom (an older form of cum, meaning "when") + -dam (a demonstrative suffix).
- am<adverbial suffix>: A Latin adverbial suffix indicating time or state, often seen in archaic or formal contexts.
Etymology Origin:
The word quondam originates directly from Latin, where it functioned as an adverb meaning "at one time" or "formerly." It entered English in the 16th century as an adjective to describe something or someone that once held a particular status but no longer does. The term retains a formal, slightly archaic tone, often used in literary or historical contexts.
The quondam professor now enjoys retirement in the countryside.
She revisited her quondam home, now abandoned and overgrown.
His quondam fame as a singer faded with time.
The castle, a quondam stronghold, lies in ruins today.
They met at a reunion of quondam classmates.