forewrite

English

Etymology

From Middle English fore-writen, from Old English forewrītan (“to proscribe, banish, write above, write before”), equivalent to fore- +‎ write.

Verb

forewrite (third-person singular simple present forewrites, present participle forewriting, simple past forewrote, past participle forewritten)

1. (transitive, intransitive, archaic) To write beforehand; write in advance.
   • 1837, The London and Westminster Review:

     How know'st thou those dark words the Eternal Hand Writes in the Book of Time? If God foresees, God must forewrite; and what is all the future Save one vast chronicle of sibyl things!

   • 1903, New England Society of St. Louis, Annual Reunion:

     It knows the precise time when to play "bull" or "bear" on 'change; can handle a public deficit or surplus with equal poise and facility; anticipate the nominations and forewrite the platforms of all the parties; designate when the government shall stand pat and when to cry fraud and demand a new deal.

   • 1907, The Manhattan Quarterly:

     Especially in our condition of mixed life in this, our beloved country, you can act and react upon the neighbor by the personal influence of your moral conduct, builded on faith; and no pen can forewrite the incalculable benefit you may confer upon the civic, intellectual, domestic and religious experience of your day.

Derived terms

• forewritten

Anagrams

• fire tower