forewit

• fore-wit

From Middle English forwit, from Old English *forewit, *forewitt (attested in derivative forewitiġ, forewittiġ (“foreknowing”)), equivalent to fore- +‎ wit (“knowledge, understanding”).

forewit (countable and uncountable, plural forewits)

1. Timely knowledge; precaution; foresight.
   • Proverb

     One good forewit is worth two afterwits.

• afterwit

From Middle English forwiten, from Old English fōrewitan (“to foreknow”), equivalent to fore- +‎ wit (“to know”).

forewit (third-person singular simple present forewot, present participle forewitting, simple past and past participle forewist)

1. (transitive, obsolete) To foreknow.

From fore- (“prominent, out in front”) +‎ wit (“a clever man”).

forewit (plural forewits)

1. One who puts himself forward as a leader in matters of taste or criticism.