v. t. [ imp. Forwent; p. p. Forgone; p. pr. & vb. n. Forgoing. ] [ OE. forgan, forgon, forgoon, AS. forgān, prop., to go past, hence, to abstain from; pref. for- + gān to go; akin to G. vergehen to pass away, to transgress. See Go, v. i. ] 1. To pass by; to leave. See 1st Forego. [ 1913 Webster ] For sith [ since ] I shall forgoon my liberty At your request. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] And four [ days ] since Florimell the court forwent. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. to abstain from; to do without; to refrain from; to renounce; -- said of a thing already enjoyed, or of one within reach, or anticipated. See 1st forego, 2. [ PJC ] ☞ This word in spelling has been confused with, and almost superseded by, forego to go before. Etymologically the form forgo is correct. [ 1913 Webster ] |