Dictionary

foretake en · VERB

Etymology

From fore- + take. Also as a back-formation from foretaken. Compare Danish foretage, Swedish företaga.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To take, receive, or adopt beforehand; assume.
   • You shall bring and lay in our hands tne product of your activity: we will divide it into two parts — the one shall be ours; it shall be sacred; you shall call it tithe; we will foretake it [...] 1855, John Claudius Pitrat, Paul and Julia:
   • Enraptures a man to foretake his pleasure, And capture a woman to partake her treasure. 2006, Robert L. Sanders, An Appeal to Reveal Poetic Ideal:
   • Upon entering, she showed me to the bedroom. I got undressed and laid on the bed, thinking of the course of action I had to foretake as I lay there. 2010, Raymond A. Francis, True Experiences: The Sins That Brought Me to My Knees:
2. (transitive) To take or choose before another (option); prefer.
   • To be healthy and acknowledged I strive to be my very best / I am grateful and thankful For the blessings I do have / I foretake to dream the biggest dream yet [...] 2011, Jacqueline Prost, Journey Through Experiences:

Forms