aforethought etymology

Etymology:

  • Afore (Old English): Beforehand
  • Thought (Old English): Mind, plan, intention

Meaning and Origin:

Meaning:

Aforethought refers to something that is planned or decided in advance, typically with malicious intent.

Origin:

The term "aforethought" originated in medieval English law. It was first used in the 14th century to distinguish between murder and manslaughter. In murder, the killing is premeditated or planned, while in manslaughter, it is done in the heat of the moment or without intent.

The concept of aforethought was further developed in the 16th and 17th centuries. Lawyers and judges sought to establish a clear distinction between intentional and unintentional killings. They argued that in order for a killing to be considered murder, it must be accompanied by malice aforethought.

Malice aforethought is a legal term that encompasses three types of intent:

  • Express malice: The intent to kill or cause serious harm
  • Implied malice: The intent to commit a felony that is likely to result in death
  • Transferred malice: The intent to kill or harm one person but accidentally killing or harming another

In modern law, the term "aforethought" is still used to describe a killing that was premeditated or planned. It is an essential element of the crime of murder in many jurisdictions.

aforethought relate terms

  • afore

    Etymology Middle English a fore from Old English ā fore Proto Germanic afuri Prot

  • before

    Prefix before Etymology Middle English from Old English beforan from be denoting po

  • aforesaid

    Etymology Middle English aforeseide from Old English āforesǣgd From āfore before

  • aforethought

    Etymology Afore Old English Beforehand Thought Old English Mind plan intention

  • prepense

    Etymology Prefix pre Latin meaning before or in advance Stem pens Latin

  • malice

    Etymology Middle English malis malice lt Old French malice lt Latin malitia mali

  • think

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing

  • methinks

    Etymology Methinks is a contraction of the Old English phrase me thinketh which mea

  • thought

    Etymology The word thought comes from the Old English word thoht which means mind

  • thank

    Etymology Origin Old English þancian from Proto Germanic þankōną from Proto In

  • methinks

    Etymology Methinks is a contraction of the Old English phrase me thinketh which mea

  • malice

    Etymology Middle English malis malice lt Old French malice lt Latin malitia mali

  • compensate

    Etymology Middle English compensaten from Latin compensare to weigh out together bal

  • sand

    Etymology The word sand comes from the Old English word sand which is thought to be

  • republic

    Etymology Derived from the Latin word res publica literally meaning public thing or

  • celestial

    Etymology The word celestial derives from the Latin word caelestis meaning heavenly

  • remedy

    Etymology The word remedy comes from the Latin word remedium which means a cure or

  • cereal

    Etymology The word cereal is derived from the Latin word Ceres the Roman goddess of

  • article

    Etymology Origin Latin articulus small joint knuckle small part _ Meaning Origina

  • sage

    Etymology The word sage derives from the Latin word sagax meaning wise or prudent

  • satire

    Etymology The word satire comes from the Latin word satura which means a mixture o