Which term means former or previous?

Which term means former or previous?

• A. Erstwhile
• B. Gimlet-eyed
• C. Shill
• D. Denizen

Answer: (A)

The concept here is finding a word that signals something was true earlier but isn’t now. Erstwhile does that exactly: it means former or previous and is often used in a formal or slightly literary way to describe a person, state, role, or relationship that used to be the case. For example, you might say “his erstwhile partner” or “an erstwhile rival,” to indicate they were in that position or relationship in the past. The other terms describe different ideas: gimlet-eyed means having a piercing, keen gaze; shill refers to a person who promotes something (often deceitfully) to mislead others; denizen means a resident or inhabitant of a place. So when the goal is to express “former or previous,” erstwhile fits best.

The concept here is finding a word that signals something was true earlier but isn’t now. Erstwhile does that exactly: it means former or previous and is often used in a formal or slightly literary way to describe a person, state, role, or relationship that used to be the case. For example, you might say “his erstwhile partner” or “an erstwhile rival,” to indicate they were in that position or relationship in the past.

The other terms describe different ideas: gimlet-eyed means having a piercing, keen gaze; shill refers to a person who promotes something (often deceitfully) to mislead others; denizen means a resident or inhabitant of a place. So when the goal is to express “former or previous,” erstwhile fits best.