formerly

The word 'formerly' is built on the comparative adjective 'former', which itself derives from the Old English 'forma', meaning "first." The addition of the adverbial suffix '-ly', a prolific Germanic formative, transforms the adjective into an adverb of time. Thus, the literal construction "in a manner pertaining to what is first or earlier" evolved seamlessly into the modern sense of "at a previous time." This logical progression from a comparative of sequence ("first" > "earlier") to a temporal marker exemplifies a common pathway in English adverb formation.

Structure: former (earlier) + ly (adverb suffix) - former: From Old English 'forma' (first) and comparative suffix '-er'. Origin is Proto-Germanic. - ly: An Old English adverbial suffix, from Proto-Germanic -līko.