FromMiddle Englishforknowen (since Chaucer), a calque frompraescio equivalent tofore- +know. ReplacedOld Englishfōrwitan,fōrewitan(“to foreknow”).
foreknow (third-person singular simple presentforeknows,present participleforeknowing,simple pastforeknew,past participleforeknown)
- To haveknowledge ofbeforehand.
- 1652,Eugenius Philalethes,The Fame and Confeſſion of the Fraternity of R: C: Commonly, of the Roſie Croſs; with a Præface annexed thereto, and a ſhort Declaration of their Phyſicall Work (London, Printed byJ. M. forGiles Calvert, at the black ſpread Eagle at the Weſt end ofPauls),pages 1–2 of “The Epiſtle to the Wiſe and Underſtanding Reader”
- Wiſdom…is to a man an infinite Treaſure, for ſhe is the Breath of the Power of God, and a pure Influence that floweth from the Glory of the Almighty; ſhe is the Brightneſs of Eternal Light, and an undefiled Mirror of the Majeſty of God, and an Image of his Goodneſs; ſhe teacheth us Soberneſs and Prudence, Righteouſneſs and Strength; ſhe underſtands the Subtilty of words, and Solution of dark ſentences; ſheforeknoweth Signs and Wonders, and what ſhall happen in time to come.
1851 November 14,Herman Melville, “The Chase.—Third Day.”, inMoby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.:Harper & Brothers; London:Richard Bentley,→OCLC,page630:As it was, three of the oarsmen—whoforeknew not the precise instant of the dart, and were therefore unprepared for its effects—these were flung out;[…]
