former

adjective

1
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one
2
belonging to the distant past
the early inhabitants of Europe
former generations
3
belonging to some prior time
erstwhile friend
our former glory
4
(used especially of persons) of the immediate past
the former president
our late President is still very active

1
the first of two or the first mentioned of two
Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today

Also useful for “former”:Unscrambler— Rearrange the letters in “former”