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Ci-Devant

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Ci-Devant

Postby Grogie » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:19 am

Ex. Former. Late. ''The United States and Canada are ci-devant colonies of Britain.''
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Postby Slava » Sun Oct 17, 2010 6:53 pm

Dictionary.com prefers to keep this one to officeholders. So, Bill Clinton and Dubya are ci-devant US Presidents.

The site also says the phrase literally means Heretofore. I get a feeling of immediacy from heretofore. As in it refers to the fairly recent past. I don't believe we'd say George Washington was a ci-devant US President.

Any takers? Quibblers?
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