whilome

Adverb

whilom (not comparable)

1. (archaic except literary) At some time in the past; formerly, once upon a time.
   • Whilom, as olde stories tellen us [...]a. 1394, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Knight's Tale”, in The Canterbury Tales, line 859

   Synonyms:

   afore, aforehand, already, antecedently, at one time, before, beforehand, beforetime, ere, erenow

2. (obsolete) At times, on occasion, sometimes.
   • Wald ze be lov'd, this lessone mon ze leir;
     Flie vhylome Love, and it will folou thee.a. 1599 (date written), Alexander Montgomery [i.e., Alexander Montgomerie], “An Admonitioun to Zoung Lassis”, in David Irving, editor, The Poems of Alexander Montgomery: […], Edinburgh: […] James...

   Synonyms:

   at times, ever and anon, every once in a while, every now and then, every so often, from time to time, intermittently, irregularly, now and again, now and then

3. (obsolete, rare) Preceded by of or this: for some time that has passed.
   • This money I do give ye, becauſe of vvhilom
     You have bin thought my ſonne, and by myſelfe too, […]1610–1616 (date written), Iohn [i.e., John] Fletcher, Monsieur Thomas. A Comedy. […], London: […] Thomas Harper, for Iohn Waterson, […], published 1639, →OCLC, Act IV, scene ii, signature I2, verso

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