quondam (adj)

quondam (n) [kwŏn΄ dэm]

that once was; onetime; former

From the Latin quom — when < Indo-European root k^wo– (also k^wi–), a stem of relative and interrogative pronouns: Other derivatives include who, whether, either, quorum, quip, and quality.

 
 
“After all, however, there is nothing like custom, for neither Bilder nor his wife thought any more of the wolf than I should of a dog. The animal itself was as peaceful and well-behaved as that father of all picture-wolves, Red Riding Hood’s quondam friend, whilst moving her confidence in masquerade. …

The wicked wolf that for a half a day had paralyzed London and set all the children in town shivering in their shoes, was there in a sort of penitent mood, and was received and petted like a sort of vulpine prodigal son.”

– Bram Stoker, Dracula

~ by nyx on March 15, 2008.