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.
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
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)
"Do not forespeak us, brother," said Angus; "that is not lucky."
From A Legend of Montrose by Scott, Walter, Sir
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
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.
