forewit

Timely knowledge; precaution; foresight.

Noun

  1. Timely knowledge; precaution; foresight.
    • One good forewit is worth two afterwits.

Origin

From Middle English forwit, from Old English *forewit, *forewitt (attested in derivative forewitiġ, forewittiġ (“foreknowing”)), equivalent to fore- + wit (“knowledge, understanding”).

Forms

forewits fore-wit

Antonyms

afterwit

Noun Entry 2

  1. One who puts himself forward as a leader in matters of taste or criticism.

Origin

From fore- (“prominent, out in front”) + wit (“a clever man”).

Forms

forewits fore-wit

Verb

  1. To foreknow.

Origin

From Middle English forwiten, from Old English fōrewitan (“to foreknow”), equivalent to fore- + wit (“to know”).

Forms

forewot forewitting forewist fore-wit