Word of the day: whilom

The word of the day is whilom:

Etymology:  Old English hwílum , later -on , -an , = Old Saxon hwîlon at times (Middle Dutch, Middle Low German wîlen formerly, Dutch wijlen late = deceased), Old High German hwîlôn , -on (Middle High German wîlen , wîlent , German weiland formerly) dative plural of while n. 

 

A. adv. (and adj.) 

1. At times: = while adv. 1, whiles n., conj., and adv. 6b. Obs. 

2.a. At some past time; some time before or ago; once upon a time: = while adv. 2, whiles n., conj., and adv. 6a. arch.

 b. as adj. That existed, or was such, at a former time; former; †of a person, ‘late’, deceased (obs.): = while adv. 2b. arch. 

3. At a future time, some time; in future. 

B. conj.= while conj. 1, 3. dial. 

C. Aberrant uses. (OED)

"Here are the remnants of the vast plantations of the Sheldons, the Pellots, and the Rensons; but the souls of them are passed. The houses lie in half ruin, or have wholly disappeared; the fences have flown, and the families are wandering in the world. Strange vicissitudes have met these whilom masters."

 - W.E.B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk, 1903