What does "forego" mean?
Forego: To relinquish the enjoyment or advantage of; to give up; to resign; to renounce; -- said of a thing already enjoyed, or of one within reach, or anticipated. All my patrimony,, If need be, I am ready to forego. Milton. Thy lovers must their promised heaven forego. Keble. [He] never forewent an opportunity of honest profit. R. L. Stevenson. Note: Forgo is the better spelling etymologically, but the word has been confused with Forego, to go before.
Additional senses
- 2.To go before; to precede; -- used especially in the present and past participles. Pleasing remembrance of a thought foregone. Wordsworth. For which the very mother's face forewent The mother's special patience. Mrs. Browning. Foregone conclusion, one which has preceded argument or examination; one predetermined.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17 · Modified: 2026-07-17