forewit

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See also: fore-wit

English

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Alternative forms

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Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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

Noun

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forewit (countable and uncountable, plural forewits)

  1. Timely knowledge; precaution; foresight.
    One good forewit is worth two afterwits.
Antonyms
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Etymology 2

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

Verb

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

  1. (transitive, obsolete) To foreknow.

Etymology 3

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

Noun

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forewit (plural forewits)

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