different between forebode vs forewarn

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /f???b??d/

Etymology

From Middle English foreboden, from Old English forebodian, equivalent to fore- +? bode.

Alternative forms

• forbode (much less commonly used)

Verb

forebode (third-person singular simple present forebodes, present participle foreboding, simple past and past participle foreboded)

1. To predict a future event; to hint at something that will happen (especially as a literary device).

   • There can be, if I forebode aright, no power, short of the Divine mercy, to disclose, whether by uttered words, or by type or emblem, the secrets that may be buried with a human heart.

2. To be prescient of (some ill or misfortune); to have an inward conviction of, as of a calamity which is about to happen; to augur despondingly.
   • ?, Alfred Tennyson, The Two Voices

     His heart forebodes a mystery.

   • 1741, Conyers Middleton, Life of Cicero

     Sullen, desponding, and foreboding nothing but wars and desolation, as the certain consequence of Caesar's death.

Synonyms

• (to portend or foretell): foretell, portend, predict

Derived terms

• forebodement
• foreboder

Translations

Noun

forebode

1. (obsolete) prognostication; presage

See also

• bode

References

• forebode at OneLook Dictionary Search

English

Etymology

Early 14th century, from Middle English *forewarnen (suggested by Middle English forewarned, forewarning, forewarner, etc.), from Old English forewarnian (“to take warning beforehand; forewarn”), from Proto-Germanic *furawarn?n? (“to forewarn”), equivalent to fore- +? warn. Cognate with German vorwarnen (“to warn, forewarn”), German vorwarnen (“to forewarn”), Swedish förvarna (“to forewarn”).

Verb

forewarn (third-person singular simple present forewarns, present participle forewarning, simple past and past participle forewarned)

1. To warn in advance.

Usage notes

Some discourage this use, finding the term redundant, as a warning is necessarily in advance. However, considering the word's continued presence in the English language ever since the time of the Anglo-Saxons (when it was first coined), the legitimacy of such complaints is somewhat questionable.

Additionally, many others argue that forewarn is simple emphasis (rather than redundancy), has connotations of “well in advance” (“Watch out!” and “Watch your head!” are warnings, but not forewarnings), and has connotations of “correct prediction”, as in foretell. Both forewarn and warn are well-established words, with forewarn being attested since 1330.

Derived terms

• forewarned is forearmed

Related terms

• fore-
• foretell

Translations

References

• “Forewarning signs”, The Grammarphobia Blog, May 8, 2007