[f. FORE- pref. + ARM v.] trans. To arm beforehand; lit. and fig.

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1592.  Greene, Disc. Coosnage, II. 1. Forewarned, forearmed.

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1682.  Dryden, Medall, 67/5.

        From hence those tears! that Ilium of our woe!
Who helps a powr’ful Friend, fore-arms a Foe.

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1768–74.  Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1852), II. 429. Knowing that forewarned is forearmed.

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1862.  Goulburn, Pers. Relig., III. iv. (1873), 190. Then we are forearmed against surprises and contradictions.

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