forspeak

transitive verb

for·​speak
fə(r)ˈspēk
1
now dialectal British : to cast a bad spell over : bewitch especially by immoderate praise
don't boast about the child, lest you forspeak him
2
obsolete : to speak against : asperse

Word History

Etymology

Middle English forspeken to cast a bad spell over, speak evil of, from Old English forspecan, forsprecan to speak in vain, deny, denounce, from for- + specan, sprecan to speak

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Dictionary Entries Near forspeak

forsooth

forspeak

forspent

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Forspeak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forspeak. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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