v. rare. [OE. for-, forceuman, f. FOR-2, FORE- pref. + cuman COME v. Chiefly used in imitation of L. prævenire.] † a. intr. To come before the usual time; to come early (obs.–1). b. trans. To come before, anticipate (rare). † c. To gain the advantage of, overcome (obs.).
c. 900. trans. Bæda’s Hist., IV. xxvi. [xxv]. (1891), 350. Þætte þu seo forecumende Drihtnes onsyne [orig. præoccupando Dei faciem] in ondetnisse.
c. 1000. Ags. Ps. xvi[i]. 14[13] (Spelman). Aris, Drihten, forcum hi.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter, ibid. Ris up, Laverd, for-come him swa. Ibid., cxviii. [cxix.] 147. I for-come in ripenes, and made crie.
c. 1300. Cursor M., 10068 (Cott.).
| Quar-thoru þe warlaw, wirid wight, | |
| For-cummen es and has tint his might. |
1860. Pusey, The Minor Prophets, 513. When we answer, Turn us, Lord, unto Thee, and we shall be turned, we confess that we are forecome by the grace of God.
Hence Forecoming ppl. a.; Forecomingness.
1839. Bailey, Festus (1848), 29/2.
| Clear through the crystal egg of time, the play | |
| Of spirits and forecomingness of things. |
1860. Pusey, The Minor Prophets, 502. God’s forecoming love is the ground of all the acceptableness of His creatures.
