forefend etymology

Etymology:

"Forefend" is derived from two Old English words:

  • fore-: meaning "before" or "in advance"
  • fendan: meaning "to defend" or "to ward off"

Meaning:

To forefend means:

  • To prevent something from happening by taking action in advance
  • To protect or defend someone or something against an anticipated danger or threat

Origin:

The term "forefend" first appeared in the early 13th century. It was originally used in a legal context to refer to the defense of a person against a legal action. Over time, its meaning expanded to include the general sense of protecting or preventing something from occurring.

Usage:

Forefend is a relatively formal word that is often used in literary or legal contexts. It is typically used in a proactive sense, referring to actions taken to prevent a future event.

Examples:

  • "The company took steps to forefend any potential lawsuits."
  • "The government imposed sanctions to forefend against aggression."
  • "May God forefend against any harm coming to our children."

forefend relate terms

  • forfend

    Etymology Old French forfendre to ward off prevent Proto Germanic fur bhend anaz

  • fend

    Etymology Middle English fenden Old English fyndan findan Proto West Germanic finþan

  • debar

    Etymology The word debar comes from the Old French word debarrer which means to sh

  • obviate

    Etymology Latin obviare meaning to go to meet to oppose Meaning To make someth

  • avert

    Etymology Old French avertir Latin advertere to turn to to pay attention to Ad

  • foreclose

    Etymology The word foreclose comes from the Middle English word forclosen which in t

  • forbid

    Etymology Old English forbeodan from Proto West Germanic farbaudan from Proto Ger

  • forestall

    Etymology Middle English fore stallen from Old English forestælan Meaning To pr

  • beard

    Etymology The word beard comes from the Old English word beard which is derived fro

  • bread

    Etymology The word bread originates from the Middle English word bred which is deriv

  • avoid

    Usage The word serendipity has an interesting etymology However for the purposes o

  • prevent

    Etymology Prevent comes from the Middle French prévenir from the Latin praevenire a