† fore-ˈpoint, v. Obs.
Also 6 forepoint.
[f. fore- prefix + point v.]
1. trans. a. To appoint or determine beforehand; to predestine to or unto. b. To forebode. c. To mark by points beforehand.
| a. c 1550 Cheke Matt. xvi. 17 note, Everlastingnes, and happines wheerunto his chosen be forpointed. 1589 Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 84 Unfortunate Samela born to mishaps, and forepointed to sinister fortunes. 1593 Lodge Longbeard, etc. (1880) 56 He is the man forpointed to be my husband. |
| b. 1590 Greene Never too late (1600) 69 As the Marble drops against raine, so their teares fore-poynt mischiefe. |
| c. 1570 Dee Math. Pref., Which point we shall atteyne, by Notyng and forepointyng the angles and lines, by a sure and certain direction and connexion. |
2. intr. To point beforehand.
| 1601 Weever Mirr. Mart. A iv b, He might haue seene how Fate that day fore-pointed. 1613–18 Daniel Coll. Hist. Eng. (1626) 20 Thus (as fore pointing to a storme that was gathering on that coast) began the first difference with the French nation. |
Hence
forepointing ppl. a. Also
forepointer, one who or that which points out beforehand.
| 1587 Greene Eupheus Cens. Wks. (Grosart) VI. 171 The fathers and forepointers of wysedom. 1589 ― Menaphon (Arb.) 27 Some further forepoynting fate. 1590 ― Mourn. Garm. (1616) 23 Desires aboue Fortunes, are the forepointers of deep falls. |