[f. FORTH adv. + COMING ppl. a.]
1. About to or likely to come forth; also simply, coming or approaching (in time); esp. ready to appear or be produced when required, at one’s disposal or within one’s reach, ‘get-at-able.’ Said both of persons and things. † To keep (a person) forthcoming: to keep in safe custody. † To see (a person) forthcoming: ? to make amenable to control.
1521–32. Bp. Longland, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. III. xcv. 248. That he be forth comyng to his answere when your Grace shall commaund.
1565–73. Durham Depositions (Surtees), 219. To arreste the said Isabell Walker, the said William wyf, and to kepe her furthcomyng unto the morning.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. i. II. vii. Memory layes up all the species which the senses have brought in and records them as a good register that they may be forth coming when they are called for by phantasie and reason.
a. 1635. Naunton, Fragmenta Regalia (Arb.), 17. If you think to rule here, I will take a course to see you forth-coming.
1640–1. Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855), 80. To cum and find sufficient suretie that the samen shall be furth-cumand to the publict.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., IV. § 151. The Members should be forth coming assoon as a Legal Charge should be preferred against them.
1674. N. Fairfax, A Treatise of the Bulk and Selvedge of the World, 170. His everlasting Essence, or his everlastingness which is all one, must be forth-coming or in potentia.
1795. Ld. Auckland Corr. (1862), III. 354. I am forthcoming any day except Monday next.
1839. Lytton, Disowned, I. i. 11–2. If you have seen already enough of the world, to take up with ale when neither Canary, Palermo, nor Sherry are forthcoming, I will promise, at least, to pledge you in large draughts of that homely beverage.
1859. J. Lang, Wand. India, 270. He had forgotten all about the forthcoming execution.
1893. Law Times, XCIV. 29 April, 601/1. Unclaimed dividends are retained by hundreds of companies in trust for possible but never forthcoming claimants.
b. Sc. Law in phrase to make forthcoming.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 24. The ordinator … is bound … to finde and make forthcumand to him ane bondman.
1693. Visct. Stair, Instit. Law Scot., III. i. § 36. 374. This action for making Sums or Goods arrested forth-coming, is ordinary.
2. Ready to make or meet advances. rare.
1835. T. Moore, Mem. (1856), VII. 81. Nothing could be more frank or forthcoming than his manner.
1885. L. Malet, Col. Enderby’s Wife, II. III. vi. 43. She was extremely gracious and forthcoming; but one might detect a certain watchfulness and hardness behind her genial manner.
Hence Forthcomingness.
1808. Bentham, Sc. Ref., 21. Means of securing forthcomingness, on the part of persons and things, for legal purposes, provided on an uniform and comprehensive plan, adapted to the advances made by the age and country in the arts of life.
1818. T. Moore, Mem. (1853), II. 133. I see no chance for my escape but in the forthcomingness of his uncle Sheddon.
