ci-devant
former: used especially in reference to a retired officeholder.
Origin of ci-devant
1Words Nearby ci-devant
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use ci-devant in a sentence
The consequence of this quarrel was that, early in 1794, he found himself accused as a ci-devant noble.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonIndeed, after all that had taken place, he thought it as well not to trouble his ci-devant client with a bill.
The Kellys and the O'Kellys | Anthony TrollopeDe la Fort must arrange the affair, and so far this insolent ci-devant could have said nothing else of moment.
The Red City | S. Weir MitchellI was of the tribunal at Avignon which condemned the ci-devant vicomte, the young man's father.
The Red City | S. Weir Mitchell"Ah, madame," said the ci-devant bonne, when she found herself in Eugenie's presence.
Night and Morning, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton
British Dictionary definitions for ci-devant
/ French (sidəvɑ̃) /
(esp of an office-holder) former; recent
Origin of ci-devant
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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