aforethought

American  

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

adjective

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

   with malice aforethought.

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noun

1. premeditation; forethought.

aforethought British  

/ əˈfɔːˌθɔːt /

adjective

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

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Etymology

Origin of aforethought

First recorded in 1575–85; afore + thought ²

Example Sentences

And there’s no question it was a choice aforethought.

From New York Times

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

Although its sting can induce swelling, excruciating pain and sometimes deadly allergic reactions, the northern giant hornet is not aggressive toward humans — and it’s unlikely that any could have “malice aforethought” in related fatalities.

From New York Times

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

From Salon

“We are in this position with malice aforethought,” he says.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• calculated
• careful
• cautious
• cold-blooded
• conscious
• meticulous
• premeditated
• prudent
• purposeful
• studious
• thoughtful
• willful