Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1704-1705, 1827, 1929
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FORTHINK, v. Sc. usages. The word has been only dial. in Eng. since 1600. Pa.t. forthocht. [fər′θɪŋk]
1. To have second thoughts, to reconsider (ne.Sc. 1953). Now gen. in pa.t. with noun clause. Sometimes refl.Sc. 1705 Papers Rev. J. Anderson 78:
My wife came up, to whom, upon very little provocation, I gave some hard words, but I was surprised into them without forthinking.Bch. 1929 Abd. Univ. Review (March) 131:
Aifter A hid gaen by a bittie, A forthocht masel' 'at gin it wiz some peer craetur perishin' o' hunger an' caul' i' the kirkyard, A ocht ta gang an' see.
2. To regret, repent, †tr. and absol. (ne.Sc. 1953). Fif. 1704 D. Webster Witchcraft (1820) 131:
She would make Jean Rizet forethink what she had done.Sc. 1827 Scott Croftangry in Chrons. Canongate v.:
Bethink ye whether ye will . . . maybe look back and think lang for ha'en kiven it away whilk is a creat sin to forthink a wark o' charity.
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