i Register
In some senses, erst is marked as obsolete, archaic, poetic. Watch for register when choosing this word.
erst
/ɝst/
adv 3adj 1
Collocations
3VERB + ERST
consider, leaves, remain, wounds
ERST + NOUN
native
PREP.
around, from
Definitions
adj
1
First.
adv
1
First of all, before (some other specified thing).
Consider what I erst have been and what thou seest me now:
2
Sooner (than); before.
Thenne he sente the varlet ageyne and bad hym telle Kyng Mark that I wille come as soone as I am hole / for erste I maye doo hym noo good "Then he sent the varlet again, and bade him: Tell King Mark that I will come as soon as I am whole, for erst I may do him no good. "
3
Formerly, once, erstwhile.
When lofty trees I see barren of leaves Which erst from heat did canopy the herd
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
401
Consider what I erst have been and what thou seest me now:
Wiktionary02
Thenne he sente the varlet ageyne and bad hym telle Kyng Mark that I wille come as soone as I am hole / for erste I maye doo hym noo good "Then he sent the varlet again, and bade him: Tell King Mark t
Wiktionary03
When lofty trees I see barren of leaves Which erst from heat did canopy the herd
Wiktionary04
Foul is his beard, his hair is stiff with gore, / and fresh the wounds, those many wounds, remain, / which erst around his native walls he bore.
Tatoeba · #6816649Usage Notes
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