Whilom: meaning, definitions and examples
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whilom
[ ˈwaɪləm ]
literary usage
Whilom is an archaic term that means formerly or once upon a time. It is often used in historical or literary contexts to evoke a sense of nostalgia or the past.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Whilom, we wandered through the forests of our youth.
- In the whilom days of glory, the kingdom thrived.
- She spoke of whilom friends who had long since departed.
- There was a whilom era when magic was believed to be real.
Etymology
The word 'whilom' originates from Middle English, where it was used as 'whilom' or 'whilome', derived from the Old English 'hwilum', which is related to the word 'hwile', meaning 'a while' or 'time'. Over time, it evolved to encapsulate the concept of 'once' or 'formerly', acting as a temporal marker indicating the past. 'Whilom' retains a poetic and antiquated tone, often found in romantic or nostalgic texts, and reflects a bygone era of literature. Despite its decline in modern usage, it still appears occasionally in poetic contexts, signifying a longing for the past or an allusion to historical narratives.