foresay

English

Etymology

From Middle English foresayen, foreseyen, foreseggen (found only in past participle foresaid), from Old English foreseċġan (to foresay, foretell, predict, announce, mention beforehand), equivalent to fore- + say. Cognate with Dutch voorzeggen (to foretell, presage), Old Danish foresige, Swedish föresäga, förutsäga (to predict).

Verb

foresay (third-person singular simple present foresays, present participle foresaying, simple past and past participle foresaid)

  1. (transitive) To say beforehand; predict; foretell.
  2. (transitive) To decree; ordain; appoint.
    • Shakespeare
      Let ordinance / Come as the gods foresay it.
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