forewit

See also: fore-wit

English

Alternative forms

• fore-wit

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪt

Etymology 1

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

Noun

forewit (countable and uncountable, plural forewits)

1. Timely knowledge; precaution; foresight.

   One good forewit is worth two afterwits.

Antonyms

• afterwit

Etymology 2

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

Verb

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

1. (transitive, obsolete) To foreknow.

Etymology 3

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

Noun

forewit (plural forewits)

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