v. Also 3 fortell, 7–9 foretel. [f. FORE- pref. + TELL v.]
1. trans. To tell of (an event, etc.) beforehand; to predict, prophesy.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 9265 (Cott.). Crist was for-tald wit propheci.
1639. A. Wheelocke, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 158. Augustine fore-tould and threatned theire death.
1727. De Foe, A System of Magic, I. ii. (1840), 42. These magi are called by some, priests, by others philosophers, by others astrologers; it is certain they foretold things to come, or, at least, made the people believe so.
1732. Berkeley, Alciphr., IV. § 15. He foretels to them, that, in case they walk straight forward, in half an Hour they shall meet Men or Cattle or come to a House.
1837. Whewell, Hist. Induct. Sc. (1857), I. 225. The failure of the predictions, in the case of Pompey, Crassus, Cæsar, to whom the astrologers had foretold glorious old age and peaceful death.
1869. Lecky, Europ. Mor., II. i. 2. The objects of the Pagan systems were to foretell the future, to explain the universe, to avert calamity, to obtain the assistance of the gods.
b. Of things: To give notice of beforehand, indicate the approach of, foreshow.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. IV., II. i. 43.
| But what art thou, whose heauie Lookes fore-tell | |
| Some dreadfull story hanging on thy Tongue? |
1672. Sir W. Petty, Pol. Anat. (1691), 50. The Instrument to measure and foretel Frost and Snow.
1753. J. Warton, Virgil, Eclogues, I. 21.
| The hopes and promise of my ruin’d fold! | |
| These ills prophetic signs have oft foretold. |
1862. Ansted, Channel Isl., I. vii. (ed. 2), 144. The extremely sensitive state of the barometer, arising from the position and small dimensions of the island [Guernsey], and its comparatively unbroken surface, mark it as admirably adapted for a signal station, to foretel storms advancing from the south-west.
† 2. To tell (i.e., either inform or enjoin) beforehand. With sb. or clause as second obj. (See TELL). Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 14552 (Cott.).
| Þis was bi him he þaim for-tald | |
| Thoru quam he wist he suld be sald. |
1581. Lambarde, Eirenarcha, II. v. (1602), 168. If the maister … take his vsuall seruants with him, not foretelling them what hee intendeth to doe.
1590. Greene, Mourn. Garm., 51. Had I deemed them to be preiudiciall Syrens, had I beleeued what I was foretold, Philador had beene lesse miserable, & more fortunate.
1610. Shaks., Temp., IV. i. 149.
| These our actors, | |
| (As I foretold you) were all Spirits. |
1631. J. Weever, Ancient Funerall Monuments, 209. He departed this world … in a Chamber belonging to the Abbot of Westminster, called Ierusalem, hauing beene prophetically foretold that hee should die in Ierusalem.
1641. H. Best, Rural Economy in Yorkshire in 1641 (Surtees), 36. Forkers are to bee foretolde that they give upp goode forkefulls, because the winde hath not soe much force and power to blowe it away.
a. 1679. Hobbes, Rhet., III. xiii. 180. Proemes of the first sort, are most proper for Demonstrative Orations; in which a Man is free to fore-tell, or not, what Points he will insist upon.
† 3. intr. To utter prediction of, prophesy of.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 9858 (Cott.). Þis barn þat ysai of for-tald.
1557. N. T. (Genev.), Acts iii. 24. Also al the Prophetes from Samuel & thence forth as many as haue spoken, haue in lykewyse fore tolde of these dayes.
1667. Milton, P. L., XII. 241.
| To introduce | |
| One greater, of whose day he shall foretell. |
Hence Foretelling vbl. sb., prediction, prophecy. Foretelling ppl. a., that foretells. Also Foreteller, one who or that which foretells.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Luke xxii. 176 a. Why than arte thou that same sonne of God, of whome the foretellynges of the prophetes doe make mencion.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Pronostiqueur, a foreteller, a deuine which telleth thing to come.
a. 1640. W. Fenner, Sacrif. Faithf. (1648), 201. If a man lie sicke, and they see death in his face, they call it the foretelling signe: so the Ministers of God may foresee the death and destruction of a Kingdome.
a. 1716. South, Serm. (1737), VI. x. 357. Blindness of Mind, Stupidity of Conscience, Deadness of Affection to all that is good, and a daring Boldness in Sin; which are as certain Forerunners of the Souls Destruction, as Buds and Blossoms are the Foretellers of Fruit, or the Sentence of Condemnation the Harbinger of Death.
1826. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. II. (1863), 439. I myself could not help admiring the real cleverness, the genuine gipsy tact with which she adapted her foretellings to the age, the habits, and the known desires and circumstances of her clients.
1879. Farrar, St. Paul (1883), 252. There was scarcely a Roman family that did not keep or consult its own foreteller of the future.
