formerly defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formerly defined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a definition or description that was established in the past but may no longer be applicable or has changed. Example: "The term 'ecosystem' was formerly defined as a community of living organisms interacting with their environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

PLASTIC IS BETTER THAN GOLD The substance that formerly defined money in India was gold.

The New York Times

Formerly defined as "violence for political ends", it now includes action, used or threatened, for the purpose of advancing any "political, religious or ideological" cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

The second was formerly defined as 1/86,400 of the mean solar day i.e., the average period of rotation of the Earth on its axis relative to the Sun.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most significantly, the version emerging from the rules committee expanded the definition of a "specific selection term," the root thing – formerly defined as information that "uniquely describe[s] a person, entity, or account" – the government must present to a judge, with suspicion of connection of terrorism or espionage, in order to collect data under the bill.

The Guardian

In this scenario, the challenge for language designers is to take advantage of the commonalities existing among similar DSLs by reusing, as much as possible, formerly defined language constructs.

Computer Languages, Systems & Structures

Periodical (mainly weekly) moisture measurements of the upper 30 cm layer were conducted at 5 habitats of formerly defined biocrust types and at 4 non-crusted habitats during 2010/11 and 2011/12 (extreme drought years with 30.4 and 35.2 mm, respectively).

Journal of Hydrology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

And please formerly define "purine content" and explain what is the expected value for it.

Biology Direct

Most private sector workers formerly enjoyed defined benefit pensions, but these pensions in the private sector are now a fast dying relic.

Huffington Post

Individuals who had smoked at least one cigarette per day for more than half a year no matter currently or formerly were defined as smokers, otherwise were defined as non-smokers.

BMC Genomics

Those who had smoked at least one cigarette per day for more than half a year either currently or formerly were defined as smokers; otherwise they were viewed as non-smokers.

BMC Medical Genomics

Those who had drunk at least once a week for more than half a year either currently or formerly were defined as drinkers; otherwise they were viewed as non-drinkers.

BMC Medical Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formerly defined", ensure you provide context on the current definition or understanding to avoid confusion.

Common error

Do not assume that your audience knows the "formerly defined" meaning. Briefly explain the shift in definition or provide a reference for the current meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formerly defined" functions as a modifier, typically used to qualify a term or concept whose definition has undergone a change. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction highlights the evolution of understanding or usage over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formerly defined" is used to indicate that a term or concept's definition has changed over time. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and highlights the evolution of understanding, emphasizing clarity by contrasting past and present meanings. It appears commonly in science, news, and encyclopedic contexts. When using "formerly defined", provide context on the current definition to avoid confusion and consider alternatives like "previously defined" or "originally defined" to tailor your message's nuance. The best practice is to ensure your audience understands the shift in definition, making your communication precise and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously defined

Replaces "formerly" with "previously", indicating a state that existed at an earlier time.

earlier defined

Uses "earlier" instead of "formerly" to express that the definition occurred at a prior time.

originally defined

Indicates the initial or first definition of something.

heretofore defined

A more formal alternative, suggesting that the definition was established up to this point.

historically defined

Emphasizes that the definition is based on historical usage or understanding.

traditionally defined

Highlights that the definition is based on established customs or practices.

formally defined

Suggests a definition that was officially or explicitly stated.

officially defined

Similar to "formally defined", but places more emphasis on the authority behind the definition.

once defined

Highlights that the definition was true at one time, but may no longer be.

previously understood

Shifts focus from definition to understanding; suitable when meaning is implied rather than explicitly stated.

FAQs

How can I use "formerly defined" in a sentence?

You can use "formerly defined" to indicate that a concept or term had a specific meaning in the past that has since changed. For example, "The term 'planet' was "formerly defined" by the IAU based on certain criteria, but that definition has been updated."

What's a good alternative to using "formerly defined"?

Alternatives include "previously defined", "earlier defined", or "originally defined", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, using "previously defined" may be suitable if you want to simply state it was defined before.

Is it always necessary to specify what the new definition is when using "formerly defined"?

While not always required, providing the current definition or context after using ""formerly defined"" can help avoid confusion and ensure clarity for your audience.

Which is more appropriate: "formerly defined" or "previously defined"?

Both ""formerly defined"" and "previously defined" are appropriate and often interchangeable. "Formerly" may slightly emphasize a more significant shift or passage of time compared to "previously".