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aforethought

American  
[uh-fawr-thawt, uh-fohr-] / əˈfɔrˌθɔt, əˈfoʊr- /

adjective

  1. thought of previously; premeditated (usually used predicatively).

    with malice aforethought.


noun

  1. premeditation; forethought.

aforethought British  
/ əˈfɔːˌθɔːt /

adjective

  1. (immediately postpositive) premeditated (esp in the phrase malice aforethought )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of aforethought

First recorded in 1575–85; afore + thought 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Her consistency of dress was a sign of reliability in the face of global change, a physical expression of her job as a living historical symbol and a tool wielded with precision, aforethought.

From New York Times ● Sep. 8, 2022

Everything he has done in his whole life has been with malice aforethought.

From Salon ● Jun. 1, 2022

Ramos’s premeditation, or malice aforethought, is manifest also through time.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 30, 2019

As Regina George, the reigning mean girl with malice aforethought, Taylor Louderman is a contender for lead actress in a musical.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2018

Do you think I will allow any man willfully, maliciously, and with malice aforethought, to swear that I am an innocent man?

From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Legal by Robert Green Ingersoll

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