v. [OE. foresęcȝan, f. FORE- pref. + sęcȝan to SAY.] trans. To say beforehand, foretell, predict. Now rare.
c. 900. trans. Bæda’s Hist., Contents, III. xiii. (1890), 14. Ðæt se biscop Aidan þam scypfarendum þone storm towardne foresæȝde.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1606 (Cott.).
| Þis word was als a propheci, | |
| þat for-said was bi his merci. |
1543. Grafton, Contn. Hardyng, 549. Kyng Henry ye sixte did foresaye the same, and in like maner prophecy of hym.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., IV. 9. He foresayth yt the people shalbe gathered together agayne.
a. 1641. Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon., iii. § 32 (1642), 176. It is said, that Homer took much out of her Verses, which she foresaw, and foresaid he should doe.
1886. J. Payne, Decameron, I. 9–10. The pleasance and delight which I have already promised you and which, belike, were it not foresaid, might not be looked for from such a beginning.
Hence Foresaying vbl. sb.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Mark i. 2. According to the prophecies and foresayinges of the Prophetes.
1608–11. Bp. Hall, Epist., III. iii. Wks. (1627), 319. Whose foresayings verified in all particular issues are more than demonstratiue.
