In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.
FOREGOING
foregoing
(adjective) especially of writing or speech; going before
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Adjective
foregoing (not comparable)
Occurring before or in front of something else, in time, place, rank or sequence.
Synonyms
• aforegoing
• preceding
Antonyms
• following
• subsequent
Etymology 2
Verb
foregoing
present participle of forego
Source: Wiktionary
FOREGO
Fore*go", v. t. [imp. Forewent 2; p. p. Foregone; p. pr. & vb. n. Foregoing.] Etym: [See Forgo.]
1. To quit; to relinquish; to leave. Stay at the third cup, or forego the place. Herbert.
2. To relinquish the enjoyment or advantage of; to give up; to resign; to renounce; -- said of a thing already enjoyed, or of one within reach, or anticipated. All my patrimony,, If need be, I am ready to forego. Milton. Thy lovers must their promised heaven forego. Keble. [He] never forewent an opportunity of honest profit. R. L. Stevenson.
Note: Forgo is the better spelling etymologically, but the word has been confused with Forego, to go before.
Fore*go", v. t. Etym: [AS. foregan; fore + gan to go; akin to G. vorgehen to go before, precede. See GO, v. i.]
Definition: To go before; to precede; -- used especially in the present and past participles. Pleasing remembrance of a thought foregone. Wordsworth. For which the very mother's face forewent The mother's special patience. Mrs. Browning. Foregone conclusion, one which has preceded argument or examination; one predetermined.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
16 April 2025
RACY
(adjective) marked by richness and fullness of flavor; “a rich ruby port”; “full-bodied wines”; “a robust claret”; “the robust flavor of fresh-brewed coffee”
Coffee Trivia
