Obs. Pres. 1st, 3rd sing. -wot. Also for-. [OE. fore-, forwitan, f. FORE- pref., FOR- pref.2 + witan, WIT v.] trans. To know beforehand.

1

c. 888.  K. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxix. § 5. On þam hean sceoppende þe eall forewat hu hit ȝeweorþan sceal.

2

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, IV. 1043 (1071).

        Ben cause of thilke sovereyn purveyaunce,
That forwoot alle, withouten ignoraunce.
    Ibid. (c. 1384), H. Fame (Sk.), 45.
Or if the soule, of propre kynde,
Be so parfit as men fynde,
That hit forwot that is to come.

3

c. 1400.  Test. Love, III. (1532), 352. God by necessitee forwote al thynges comyng.

4

  Hence Fore-witting vbl. sb., fore-knowledge. Also Fore-witter, one who knows beforehand.

5

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boeth., V. pr. vi. 178. God byholder and forwiter of alle þinges dwelliþ aboue.

            Ibid. (c. 1386), Nun’s Pr. T., 423.
Whether that Goddis worthy forwetyng
Streigneth me needely for to do a thing.

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