aforehand

1 of 2

adverb

afore·​hand

ə-ˈfȯr-ˌhand

chiefly dialectal

: beforehand

aforehand

2 of 2

adjective

afore·​hand

ə-ˈfȯr-ˌhand

chiefly dialectal

: ready for the future

sagacity that is aforehand with events

—Samuel Richardson

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English aforhonde, aforhand, from afor afore + hond, hand hand entry 1

Adjective

derivative of aforehand entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1533, in the meaning defined above

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