v. Obs. [f. FORE- pref. + TAKE v.] trans. To take beforehand: a. to anticipate; b. to assume beforehand, presuppose.
1588. Fraunce, Lawiers Log., II. xvi. 112–3. The quicknes of mans wit is such, that it conceaueth the whole sometimes without any proposition, another while without any assumption, and now and then it preuenteth and foretaketh the conclusion.
1674. N. Fairfax, A Treatise of the Bulk and Selvedge of the World, 144. The places and bodies mov’d in them, are for-taken to be altogether without parts.
Hence Foretaken ppl. a., previously taken or adopted; Foretaking vbl. sb., the action of the vb.; also, previous capture.
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 1000/2. I … declared what was happened that afternoon of maister Garrets escape. He was glad, for he knewe of his foretaking.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia (1622), 407. Yet remayned there such foote-stepps of the foretaken opinion, that shee thought verily her father and mother were hasted thether to gett the first wishe.
1590. Swinburne, Testaments, 15. In antient Time there were Foure seuerall Kindes of Legacies … by Challenge, by Condemnation, by Suffering, by Foretaking [per præceptionem].
1618. Latham, 2nd Bk. Falconry (1633), 8. From immediate and present cold, and foretaken or former heat.
a. 1627. Hayward, Four Y. Eliz. (Camden), 9–10. The Queene did beare her selfe moderately and respectively to all, desiring them … that they would lay aside all fore-taken conceits, which, like painted glasse, doth colour all things which are seene through it.
