whilom

English

Etymology

Old English hwīlum, dative plural of hwīl ‘while’.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈwaɪləm/, /ˈʍaɪləm/

Adverb

whilom (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) While.
2. (dated) Once upon a time, formerly.
   • 1603, John Florio, trans. Michel de Montaigne, Essays, I.43:

     With such an invention did Zeleucus whilome correct the corrupted manners of the Locrines.

Adjective

whilom

1. (now literary) Former; sometime, late.

Conjunction

whilom

1. While.