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 E. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn) Linton
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 Arthur Hugh Clough
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 Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr
"Do not forespeak us, brother," said Angus; "that is not lucky."
From A Legend of Montrose by Sir Walter Scott
Susanna Edwards was active and powerful in forespeaking.
From Witch Stories by E. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn) Linton
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 Sir James George Frazer
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 John Wilson
Thou hast forespoke my being in these warres, And say'st it is not fit Eno.
From Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare
But hearing himself forespoken so pleasantly, he came to a stand and peered at them through his gold-rimmed glasses.
From News from the Duchy by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
She had been sorry for him, and forespoken good for him; he stood staunchly by all she did.
From A Reconstructed Marriage by Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr
"And you think she was forespoken?" said Nicholas, addressing her.
From The Lancashire Witches A Romance of Pendle Forest by William Harrison Ainsworth
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 Samuel E. (Samuel Edward) Lowe
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 Andrew Lang
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
