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The Collaborative International Dictionary
At erst

Erst \Erst\ ([~e]rst), adv. [Orig. superlative of ere; AS.

  1. First.
    --Chaucer.

  2. Previously; before; formerly; heretofore.
    --Chaucer.

    Tityrus, with whose style he had erst disclaimed all ambition to match his pastoral pipe.
    --A. W. Ward.

    At erst, at first; at the beginning.

    Now at erst, at this present time.
    --Chaucer.