Forewent: meaning, definitions and examples

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forewent

 

[ fɔːrˈɡoʊt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

past action

Forewent is the past tense of the verb forgo, which means to decide not to do or have something. It implies a conscious choice to give up or refrain from something that one might normally accept or enjoy. The term often carries a sense of sacrifice or self-denial in relation to a certain expectation or pleasure. In many cases, forewent is used in contexts where alternatives were available but were intentionally not pursued.

Synonyms

abandoned, forwent, gave up, relinquished, sacrificed

Examples of usage

  • She forewent the dessert to maintain her diet.
  • They forewent the vacation plans to save money.
  • He forewent his salary increase for the sake of the team.
  • I forewent the meeting to spend time with family.

Translations

Translations of the word "forewent" in other languages:

🇵🇹 absteve

🇮🇳 छोड़ना

🇩🇪 vorausgegangen

🇮🇩 meninggalkan

🇺🇦 попередньо відмовитися

🇵🇱 zrezygnował

🇯🇵 前に去った

🇫🇷 a renoncé

🇪🇸 antepuso

🇹🇷 vazgeçti

🇰🇷 앞서간

🇸🇦 تخلى عن

🇨🇿 předchozí

🇸🇰 predchádzajúci

🇨🇳 放弃了

🇸🇮 predhodil

🇮🇸 fórum

🇰🇿 бұрынғы

🇬🇪 წინასვლილი

🇦🇿 öncəki

🇲🇽 antepuesto

Etymology

The word 'forewent' is derived from the Middle English term 'forgonen', which itself comes from the Old English 'forgan', meaning 'to give up, forgo, or abstain from'. The prefix 'for-' denotes a sense of negation or exclusion, while 'gan' is related to the action of going. The evolution of the word reflects changes in language usage over centuries, moving from its Old English roots into Middle and Early Modern English. In contemporary usage, 'forego' and its past tense 'forewent' signify a deliberate choice to avoid or relinquish something, often indicating a sense of personal sacrifice or prudence. The semantic field of this term has broadened to include various contexts where individuals or groups choose to prioritize certain values or responsibilities over immediate gratification. This rich history underscores the complexity of personal choice embedded in the use of the term.