v. Obs. Forms: 1 forhátan, 2–3 forhote. Pa. t. 3–4 forhet, 4 Sc. forhicht. [OE. forhátan str. vb., f. FOR- pref.1 + hátan to promise, command: see HIGHT v.]
1. trans. To promise not to do, enjoy or practise (something); to renounce.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Past. Ep., § 47. Buton he hit forhaten hæbbe.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 199. Ðanne forsake we ure sinnes mid heorte and for-hoteð mid muðe.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 192. Ȝe … ine blostme of ower ȝuweðe uorheten alle worldes blissen.
c. 1305. Edmund Conf., 86, in E. E. P. (1862), 73. He … forhet bifore hire truliche wommanes mone.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, Nicolaus, 965.
| & þai forhicht mare to steile, | |
| [&] become gud men and lele. |
2. To forbid.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 162.
| For thou dedest by thine wyves stevene | |
| Thet was for-hote. |
3. To promise. [Cf. Ger. verheiszen.]
a. 1300. Cursor M., 11334 (Cott.).
| Godd has his folk sene to night, | |
| And sent þam þat he lang for-hight. |
