erst

2 definitions found

erst - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Erst \Erst\ ([~e]rst), adv. [Orig. superlative of ere; AS.
     [=ae]rest. See Ere.] [Archaic]
     1. First. --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Previously; before; formerly; heretofore. --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Tityrus, with whose style he had erst disclaimed all
              ambition to match his pastoral pipe.  --A. W. Ward.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     At erst, at first; at the beginning.
  
     Now at erst, at this present time. --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]

erst - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  erst
      adv 1: at a previous time; "at one time he loved her"; "her
             erstwhile writing"; "she was a dancer once"; [syn:
             once, formerly, at one time, erstwhile, erst]