Meaning of former in English
1. having previously been a particular position; previous or preceding
She is my former wife.
2. happening or existing in the past; earlier or old
in former times[days]
3. being the first mentioned of two things or people; above-mentioned
Of the two options, I prefer the former to the latter.
1. the first of two things that you have been just mentioned
The latter speaker was better than the former.