ci-devant

[ seeduh-vahn; English see-duh-vahn ]

adjectiveFrench.
  1. former: used especially in reference to a retired officeholder.

Origin of ci-devant

1
Literally, “heretofore”

Words 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-Pattison
  • Indeed, 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 Trollope
  • De 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 Mitchell
  • I 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

ci-devant

/ French (sidəvɑ̃) /


adjective
  1. (esp of an office-holder) former; recent

Origin of ci-devant

1
literally: heretofore

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012