Ci-Devant
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:19 am
Ex. Former. Late. ''The United States and Canada are ci-devant colonies of Britain.''
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?