whilom
At some time in the pastAt some time in the past; formerly, once upon a time.
» Amazed, AEneas viewed / tall structures rise, where whilom huts were found, / the streets, the gates, the bustle and the sound.
Meaning
3 senses(not comparable)At some time in the past; formerly, once upon a time.
(not comparable, obsolete)At times, on occasion, sometimes.
(not comparable, obsolete, rare)Preceded by of or this: for some time that has passed.
Examples
1 sentencesAmazed, AEneas viewed / tall structures rise, where whilom huts were found, / the streets, the gates, the bustle and the sound.
Origin
From Middle English whilom (“(adverb) at one time, formerly, once; once upon a time; at tiFrom Middle English whilom (“(adverb) at one time, formerly, once; once upon a time; at times, sometimes; at a future time; (conjunction) while”) [and other forms], from Old English hwīlum, hwīlan, hwīlon (“at one time, once; sometimes”), from Proto-West Germanic *hwīlum, the dative plural of *hwīlu (“period of time, time, while; period of rest, pause”), from Proto-Germanic *hwīlō (“period of time, time, while; period of rest, pause”), from Proto-Indo-European *kʷyeh₁- (“to rest; peace, rest”).
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