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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

For(e)-, Foirsicht, -sycht, n. Also: foir-, forsight. [ME. forsyght, -sight (a 1300).]

1. The faculty or exercise of foreseeing; prevision.(a) 1375 Barb. xx. 314.
All othyr thing … With sa gude forsicht … ordanit he a1400 Leg. S. xxxi. 431.
But forsicht or ony rede c1420 Wynt. viii. 2482.
A manly man, … Commendyt als off gret forsycht 1456 Hay II. 152/4.
Counsail is nocht ellis bot gude avis of provisioun and foresicht 1513 Doug. viii. ix. 74.
Gif it be so ȝour godhed … Be presciens provyd hes, and forsychtis Ib. xi. i. 45.
For lak of gude forsycht(b) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 190.
Sum part of prophecie And greit foirsicht hes bene in this ladie a1578 Pitsc. I. 33/9.
Ane man of singular guid wit and foirsicht Ib. 77/2.
Without regaird or foirsight to God or man 1603 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 51.
Ȝour maiesties wisdome and foirsicht, kyithed heirtofoir in the lyke maters

b. Divine providence. 1375 Barb. i. 460.
God … Preserwyt thaim in his forsycht c1450-2 Howlat 559.
Sa throw Goddis forsicht The Dowglas succedis 1581 Burne Dispt. 8 b.
The frie vil of man and foresicht of God ar not repugnant to thame selfis

2. a. The act of foreseeing; b. A measure of precaution. 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 24.
The foirsicht of the commoune danger shuld induce us … to provyde the remedie against the same 1596 Dalr. II. 226/15.
He … began to have this forsicht, that our king fell not in the samyn blek