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Former
A former is a structural member of an aircraft fuselage, of which a typical fuselage has a series from the nose to the empennage, typically perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The primary purpose of formers is to establish the shape of the fuselage and reduce the column length of stringers to prevent instability. Formers are typically attached to longerons, which support the skin of the aircraft.
The Former-and-Longeron technique was adopted from boat construction (also called stations and stringers), and was typical of light aircraft built until the advent of structural skins, such as fiberglass and other composite materials. Many of today’s light aircraft, and homebuilt aircraft in particular, are still designed in this way.
Formers are also found in the cores of potentiometers in which the resistive material is wrapped round.
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Former (adjective)
Previous.
“A former president;”
“the former East Germany”
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Former (adjective)
First of aforementioned two items. Used with the, often without a noun.
“The former is a good idea but the latter is not.”
“I drive two vehicles, a Chevy Camaro and an AMC Gremlin. I won the former on a game show.”
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Former (noun)
Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.
“Dave was the former of the company.”
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Former (noun)
An object used to form something, such as a template, gauge, or cutting die.
“The brick arch was built using a wooden former.”
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Former (noun)
Someone in, or of, a certain form (class).
“Fifth-former”
“Sixth-former.”
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Latter (adjective)
Relating to or being the second of two items.
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Latter (adjective)
Near (or nearer) to the end.
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Latter (adjective)
In the past, but close (or closer) to the present time.
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Latter (adjective)
occurring or situated nearer to the end of something than to the beginning
“heart disease dogged his latter years”
“the latter half of 1989”
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Latter (adjective)
recent
“the project has had low cash flows in latter years”
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Latter (adjective)
denoting the second or second mentioned of two people or things
“the President appoints the Prime Minister and, on the latter’s advice, the rest of the government”
“the Russians could advance into either Germany or Austria—they chose the latter option”