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forerun

American  
[fawr-ruhn, fohr-] / fɔrˈrʌn, foʊr- /

verb (used with object)

foreran, forerun, forerunning
  1. to run in front of; come before; precede.

  2. to be the precursor or harbinger of; prefigure.

  3. to anticipate or foretell.

  4. to forestall.

  5. to outrun or outstrip.


forerun British  
/ fɔːˈrʌn /

verb

  1. to serve as a herald for

  2. to go before; precede

  3. to prevent or forestall

"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 forerun

1505–15; fore- + run; probably not continuous with Middle English forerennen (intransitive) to run ahead, Old English fōryrnan

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.

It may, however, forerun a wartime wave of back-to-the-bed "escape" novels.

From Time Magazine Archive

Gone, gone, gone! they have fled before the piercing and terrible winds that forerun the storms and the hurricanes.

From Adventures in the Philippine Islands by La Gironière, Paul P. de

Does ulceration occur in the stomach or intestines, and threaten to penetrate through them—inflammation will often forerun and provide against the danger—glue the threatened membrane to whatever surface may be next it....

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

Prosperity forerun thee: awkward chance Never be neighbour to thy wishes' venture: Content and Fame advance thee: ever thrive, And glory thy mortality survive!

From A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 7 by Various

I saw evidences of war-paint and a recent war-dance that forerun an Indian attack.

From Vanguards of the Plains by McCarter, Margaret Hill