Is this your crossword clue?
"former" is also used as a crossword clue. If that's what you saw, the answer is often erstwhile (9 letters).
Definitions
Earlier, previous, or having held a role in the past.
Word origin
Inherited from Middle English former, comparative of forme (“first”), from Old English forma (“first”), descended from Proto-Germanic *frumô. Parallel to prior (via Latin), as comparative form from same Proto-Indo-European root. Related to first and fore (thence before), from Proto-Germanic.
Used in a sentence
“A former president”
“the former East Germany”
“The former-slaves-turned-abolitionists Quobna Ottobah Cugoano and Olaudah Equiano were the chief organizers of the Sons of Africa.”
Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used as a crossword answer1 curated clues
01“Earlier or previous”6 letters
Not quite right?
"Search similar patterns."
F_____