v. [f. FORE- + FEEL v.] trans. To feel beforehand, have a presentiment of.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia, II. xviii. 181 b. Full loth was Erona to let us depart from her, (as it were) forefeeling the harmes which after fell to her.
c. 1611. Chapman, Iliad, XIV. 13.
| And, as when with unwieldy waves the great sea forefeels winds | |
| That both ways murmur, and no way her certain current finds. |
a. 1632. T. Taylor, God’s Judgem., I. I. lii. (1642), 410. Sinners … very often turmoyled and butchered with their owne guilty conscience, overcharged with the multitude of offences, and fore-feeling the approach of hell.
1810. W. Taylor, in Monthly Mag., XXIX. 1 May, 320/1.
| ’Twill make my mother happy. To forefeel | |
| Her coming joy, redoubles my delight. |
1851. Maurice, Patriarchs & Lawg., vi. (1867), 122. He will find that that service and those objects were in very deed foreshown and forefelt in his childish aspirations.
Hence Forefeel sb.; Forefeeling (whence Forefeelingly adv.), Forefelt ppl. adjs.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia (1622), 380.
| But thou, sure Hope, tickle my leaping heart. | |
| Comfort, step thou in place of wonted sadnesse: | |
| Fore-felt Desire, begin to sauour part | |
| Of comming gladnesse. |
1607. Topsell, Serpents (1658), 782. A divine prudence and forefeeling knowledge originally inbred by Nature.
1805. Southey, Madoc, I. xi.
| His spirit, on the past | |
| Brooding, beheld, with no forefeeling joy, | |
| The rising sons of song, who there essayed | |
| Their eaglet flight. |
| ‘A venal band | |
| Who are to judge of danger which they fear, | |
| And honour which they do not understand.’ |
1839. Bailey, Festus, xxii.
| She flies, spirit-torn, round the heavens, | |
| Like a fore-feel of madness about the brain. |
