Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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)speik, -speak(e, v. P.t. for(e)-, foirspak. P.p. forspokyn(e, for(e)-, forspokin, foirspoken. [e.m.E. forspeake (1546), ME. forspeke (a 1300).]

1. tr. (Only in p.p.) To speak of or mention, to agree upon or settle, beforehand. 1375 Barb. i. 514.
The barownys than accordyt ar … To hald that thai forspokyn haid Ib. xx. 55.
Quhen men thir thyngis forspokin had, Thay maid fesnyng of frendschip 1393 Reg. Morton II. 193.
The qwilk resignacione and enfeffement beand made as is forspokyn 14.. Acts I. 380/2.
That seyssing is suffyciand thocht it be nocht nemmyt na for spokin in the court 1462 Peebles B. Rec. 145.
Gyf the sayd Master Thomas fulfyllis nocht as is forspokyn, he sal be … put out of the sayd seruis a1578 Pitsc. II. 212/28.
At Ȝork was nothing concludit tuiching thir matteris that I have foirspokin 1581 Cath. Tr. 128/6.
It is not … vithout greit caus … that thir toungis foirspokin hes bene retened

2. To foretell, predict. 1562-3 Winȝet I. 19/13.
Ane sufficient signe … wes, that al thing quhilk he forespak come to pass Ib. II. 32/21.
Gif he sal forespeik … a signe or foretaking 1573 Sat. P. xli. 65.
There was na troubill come to thé, Bot he foirspak it oppinlie 1581 Cath. Tr. 132/25.
All thingis … quhilk hes bene foirspokin of Christ 1600 Ib. 237/6.
The prophete forspeikis that this same sacrifice suld be offrit [etc.]absol. 1562-3 Winȝet I. 88/24.
Malachias … forespak … of the abolitioun of the auld sacrifices 1581 Burne Disput. 42 b.
Sua the prophet could not forespeik … of prayers or ony vther varkis

3. To put under a spell; to bewitch. 1607 Crim. Trials II. 536.
For cayreing of the said loche watter to sindrie … quhais beistis war seik or foirspokin 1614 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 81.
Saving that the said Jeane had foirspokin hir kow and that sho had not gevin ony milk sensyne 1662 Crim. Trials III. 610.
If a child be forspoken, we tak the cradle [etc.]