pple. and ppl. a. [pa. pple. of FORESEE.]
† 1. pple. That has seen beforehand; previously acquainted or instructed in; aware of. To make foreseen: to acquaint or inform previously. Obs.
1569. Murray, To L. B. (Harl. Lib., 37. B. 9 fo. 43). Her highness had been foreseen in the dukes design.
1577. Lochlevin, Lett. to Morton, in Robertson, Hist. Scot., App. 72. I tho’t good to make your Grace foreseen of the same.
1597. Lowe, Chirurg., IV. vii. (1634), 89. For the which the parents and friends would be foreseene of the danger which may happen, and that they should aduise whether (vpon hope of recovery) it be more expedient to assaye that extreame remedy, or otherwise to referre it into the hands of the Lord.
a. 1651. Calderwood, Hist. Kirk (1843), II. 490–1. Mr Johne Kerswell, Superintendent of Argile, was rebooked for accepting the Bishoprick of the Isles, not making the Assembly foreseen; and for ryding at, and assisting of parliament holdin by the queen, after the murther of the king.
2. ppl. a. That is seen beforehand; also, † known beforehand by sight to.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 573/1. But he that finallye repenteth hys sinnes in a right fashion, is an elect foresene to god from the beginning.
a. 1600. Hooker, Answ. Travers’ Supplic., § 22. They are not reiected no not in the purpose and counsell of God, without a foreseene worthinesse of reiection going, though not in time, yet in order before.
1697. Dryden, Æneid, VI. 1088.
| At his fore-seen Approach, already quake | |
| The Caspian Kingdoms, and Maotian Lake. |
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., Wks. V. 145. The animating cry which called ‘for all the BISHOPS to be hanged on the lamp-posts,’ might well have brought forth a burst of enthusiasm on the foreseen consequences of this happy day.
1837–8. Sir W. Hamilton, Logic, xxiii. (1866), I. 454. Every quetion behooved to be answered by a yes or a no, and thus the interrogator had it in his power to constrain his adversary always to move in a foreseen, and, consequently, a determinate direction.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Lit., Wks. (Bohn), II. 113. No hope, no sublime augury, cheers the student, no secure striding from experiment onward to a foreseen law, but only a casual dipping here and there, like diggers in California ‘prospecting for a placer’ that will pay.
