Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FORETHOCHT, n., ppl.adj. Also -thoucht. Sc. forms of Eng. forethought.

I. n. As in Eng. (Kcb. 1885 A. J. Armstrong Friend and Foe 257; Abd. 1904 W. A. G. Farquhar Fyvie Lintie 143). Gen.Sc. Adj. forethouchtie (Fif., Rxb. 1825 Jam.), -thochty (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Clc. 1953), having foresight, prudent, cautious.

II. ppl.adj. Premeditated, esp. in Sc. law phr. †forethought felony = Eng. malice aforethought.Sc. 1728 in J. Maclaurin Crim. Cases (1774) xxi.:
Having, by premeditation and forethought-felony, with a sword, or other mortal weapon, wounded the deceased Charles Earl of Strathmore.Sc. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xx.:
A deed of foul and fore-thought murder.