v. Obs. Also 6 forpoint. [f. FORE- pref. + POINT v.]
1. trans. a. To appoint or determine beforehand; to predestine to or unto. b. To forebode. c. To mark by points beforehand.
a. c. 1550. Cheke, Matt. xvi. 17, note. Attain to everlastingnes, and happines wheerunto his chosen be forpointed.
1589. Greene, Menaphon (Arb.), 84. Unfortunate Samela, born to mishaps, and forepointed to sinister fortunes, whose bloomes were ripened by mischance, and whose fruite is like to wither with despaire.
1593. Lodge, Longbeard, etc. (1880), 56. He is the man forpointed to be my husband, and your prince.
b. 1590. Greene, Never too Late (1600), 69. As the Marble drops against raine, so their teares fore-poynt mischiefe.
c. 1570. Dee, Math. Pref. Which point we shall atteyne, by Notyng and forepointyng the angles, and lines, by a sure and certain direction and connexion.
2. intr. To point beforehand.
1601. J. Weever, The Mirror of Martyrs, A iv b.
| He might haue seene how Fate that day fore-pointed, | |
| That gloomie day wherein the heauens did mone. |
1613–8. S. Daniel, The Collection of the Historie of England, 20. This (as fore-pointing to a storme that was gathering on that coast) began the first difference with the French nation.
Hence Forepointing ppl. a. Also Forepointer, one who or that which points out beforehand.
1587. Greene, Euphues Cens., Wks. (Grosart), VI. 171. Greece in deede swarmeth with Philosophers, the fathers and forepointers of wysedome. Ibid. (1589), Menaphon (Arb.), 27. These three (as distressed wrackes) preserued by some further forepoynting fate, coueted to clime the mountaine, the better to vse the fauor of the Sunne to drie their drenched apparaile. Ibid. (1590), Mourn. Garm., 21. I am not Eagle flighted, and therefore feare to flie to nigh the Sunne: such as will soare with Icarus, fall with Phaeton, and desires aboue fortunes, are the forepointers of deepe falles.
