Crossword Genius

Formerly, once (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

I believe this is a double definition.

'formerly' is the first definition.
(archaic term for formerly or long ago)

'once' is the second definition.
(archaic term for formerly or long ago)

(Other definitions for erst that I've seen before include "At first; formerly" , "in the past" , "in former times" , "Rest turned formerly" .)

I've seen this clue in The New York Times, the King Feature Syndicate and the LA Times.
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