forespeak
Americanverb (used with object)
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to predict; foretell.
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to ask for or claim in advance.
verb
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to predict; foresee
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to arrange or speak of in advance
Etymology
Origin of forespeak
First recorded in 1250–1300, forespeak is from the Middle English word forespeken. See fore-, speak
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:
She could forespeak them so that they should give poison instead of milk, and the cream she had once overlooked was never fit for the “yirning.”
From Witch Stories by Linton, E. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn)
Those, meanwhile, who knew anything that boded ill, concealed it, lest they might seem to forespeak ill-luck.
From Plutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans by Clough, Arthur Hugh
She stood at the pier-head and as they passed poured a cup of ale into the sea, to forespeak good luck for the fleet.
From Jan Vedder's Wife by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston
"Do not forespeak us, brother," said Angus; "that is not lucky."
From A Legend of Montrose by Scott, Walter, Sir
Susanna Edwards was active and powerful in forespeaking.
From Witch Stories by Linton, E. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn)
Cattle, like human beings, were exposed to the influences of the evil eye, of forespeaking, and of the casting of evil.
From Balder the Beautiful, Volume I. A Study in Magic and Religion: the Golden Bough, Part VII., The Fire-Festivals of Europe and the Doctrine of the External Soul by Frazer, James George, Sir
Thou hast forespoke my being in these warres, And say'st it is not fit Eno.
From Antony and Cleopatra by Shakespeare, William
We'll therefore, if you please, support our praises with some testimonies of Holy Writ also, in the first place, nevertheless, having forespoke our theologians that they'll give us leave to do it without offense.
From The Praise of Folly by Wilson, John
The woman told the man he had an ill neighbour, and that the child was forespoken.
From Witch Stories by Linton, E. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn)
The Royal quarry, so long in the toils of Fate, was dragged down at last, and the doom forespoken by the prophet was fulfilled.
From John Knox and the Reformation by Lang, Andrew
But this night the mournful glamour of the past caught a fresh glory from the dawn of a grander day forespoken.
From The Bow of Orange Ribbon A Romance of New York by Hampe, Theo.
So when the boy had returned from the errand forespoken, the herald announced that he must hasten after the two knights and bid them return.
From In the Court of King Arthur by Lowe, Samuel E. (Samuel Edward)
The forespoken farmer caused the one whom he most suspected to be seized and examined, who at last confessed, after making “much ado,” and taking up the time of the worshipful justice to no good.
From Witch Stories by Linton, E. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
