/fəˈseɪk(ə)n/. Forms: present tense Old English forsace, (Northumbrian foresacco), Middle English southern vorsake, ( fursake, Middle English southern vorsake, forsak, 1500s forsayke), Middle English– forsake. past tense Old English forsóc, Middle English forso(c)k, southern vorsoc, vorsok, Middle English–1500s forsoke, (Middle English forsuk(e, 1500s foresoke), 1500s–1600s forsooke, Middle English– forsook; also 1600s weak form forsaked. past participle Old English forsacen, Middle English fursake(n, forsakin, forsakyn, Middle English forsoc, Middle English–1500s forsake, 1500s–1800s forsook(e, (1600s forsoken), Middle English– forsaken; weak Middle English forsaked, forsakid.forsakev.
/fəˈseɪk/, /fɔːˈseɪk/, U.S. /fərˈseɪk//fəˈseɪk(ə)n/. Forms: present tense Old English forsace, (Northumbrian foresacco), Middle English southern vorsake, ( fursake, Middle English southern vorsake, forsak, 1500s forsayke), Middle English– forsake. past tense Old English forsóc, Middle English forso(c)k, southern vorsoc, vorsok, Middle English–1500s forsoke, (Middle English forsuk(e, 1500s foresoke), 1500s–1600s forsooke, Middle English– forsook; also 1600s weak form forsaked. past participle Old English forsacen, Middle English fursake(n, forsakin, forsakyn, Middle English forsoc, Middle English–1500s forsake, 1500s–1800s forsook(e, (1600s forsoken), Middle English– forsaken; weak Middle English forsaked, forsakid. a. transitive. To deny (an accusation, an alleged fact, etc.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > denial or contradiction > deny or contradict [verb (transitive)] > a suggestion or accusation
ofsakelOE
forsake1297
renounce1596
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 473 Ȝuf eni clerc as felon were itake, & vor felon iproued, & ne miȝte it noȝt uorsake.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1767 Stalðe ic for-sake.
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Cambr.) ii. pr. iv. 27 I ne may nat for-sake the ryht swyfte cours of my prosperite.
1389 Serm. (MS. Helm.) Þei [Ananie and Safira] forsoken to Petir here monei þat þei hadden.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 172/2 Forsakyn, and denyyn, abnego.
?c1510 tr. Newe Landes & People founde by Kynge of Portyngale sig. C.iv They forsake that maria is the moder of god.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > repudiation or refusal to acknowledge > repudiate or refuse to acknowledge [verb (transitive)] > knowledge of
forsakea1400
nicka1400
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 15997 Petur..had forsake his lord: þries on a rowe.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) viii. 91 Seynt Peter forsoke our Lord thries.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > apostasy > renounce (God or Christ) [verb (transitive)]
withsayc960
forsake toa1225
renayc1300
to fall from ——c1350
refusec1350
to fall awayc1384
renege1548
revolt1673
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose or intention [verb (transitive)] > renounce allegiance to
forsake toa1225
renounce1502
a1225 Juliana 33 Mi feader & mi moder for þi þat ich nule þe forsaken; habbe forsake me.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 25149 Wicked man, þat godd forsakes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22205 Þan sal all þaa..Es funden lele in cristen lai, Oither to iesu crist for-sake, Or underli sa wraful wrake.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 81 b/2 For we haue not folowed the synne of our fadres that forsoken theyr God.
1537 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 131 I forsake the Bysshoppe of Romes vsurpyt pouer.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > morally elevated quality > unselfishness > put aside one's own interests [verb (reflexive)] > deny oneself
forsakec1175
to deny oneselfc1384
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 145 Forsake him seolf, and bere his rode.
c1440 W. Hylton Scala Perfeccionis (1494) i. xlii Who soo wyll come after me, forsake hymself.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Caecina in Panoplie Epist. 80 As renouncing and forsaking mee selfe.
a. To decline or refuse (something offered). With simple object or to and infinitive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > decline to receive or accept
forsakea800
refusec1400
renayc1400
repelc1443
reject1532
disavow1579
balk1587
deny1590
disaccept1647
to pass up1896
to turn down1900
a800 Corpus Gloss. 650 Detractauit, forsooc.
c893 tr. Orosius Hist. ii. iv. §2 An consul..forsoc þone triumphan.
a1000 Laws Edgar ii. §8 Þone [mynet] nan man ne forsace.
a1225 Juliana 11 Sei me hwi þu forsakest þi sy & ti selhðe.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 411 Roberd hym byþoȝte..þat yt was wel gret trauayl, to be kyng of þulke lond..War þoru he..vorsoc yt al out.
c1375 Lay Folks Mass Bk. (MS. B) 250 Þai offerd gold ensense & myrre, and þou forsoke none of þirre.
1395 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 9 My sone and..his wif haue forsake to be myne executours.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur vi. xviii The thre knyghtes..yelded hem vnto syr kay and sir kay forsoke hem and said he foughte neuer with hem.
1593 B. Rich Greenes Newes sig. D2v This Brick-layer, who forsooke to goe into heauen because his wife was there.
1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 222 He..forsake a right worshipfull roome when it was offered him.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 106 He..Forsakes his Food. View more context for this quotation]
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > choose not to do
forsake?c1225
decline1631
to opt out of1970
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 139 Nolde me tellen him alre worlde dusegest þe forseke abuffet for an speres wunde.
1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 54 Qwo-so be chosen..& he forsake his offyce he xal paye..iijs.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum xvi. lxiii. (Tollem. MS.) A noþer kynde of magnas, þat forsakeþ yren and dryueþ it awey.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 173 If a leche be in straunge cuntre..he schal forsake alle maner of curis þat ben harde to do.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xiv. 315 Na multitud he forsuk of men, Quhill he hade ane aganis ten.
1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry (new ed.) f. 42 Hanging on the Crosse, no shame he did forsake.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 33 We followe libertie, and forsake servitude.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > not do [verb (transitive)] > leave undone or fail to carry out
letc900
overheaveOE
forsakec1175
missa1350
leavea1375
fail1393
forgeta1400
omit?c1422
pretermit1475
neglect1533
to dispense with1559
permit1567
overrun1583
slip1592
default1649
to miss of ——1658
to fail of1723
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 111 Swa saul þe king dude þe forsech godes heste.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 28246 Ic for-soke oft to kyrk at ga.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4406 Al þas men..Þat sal forsake to wirk Cristes werk.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 273 Þe kynges knyȝes..forsook Clito his faire byhestes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6523 Sum of þaim þis fast forsoke.
3. To give up, renounce.
a. To give up, part with, surrender (esp. something dear or valued). Passing into sense 4.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)]
forsakec893
forlet971
to reach upOE
agiveOE
yield?c1225
uptake1297
up-yield1297
yield1297
deliverc1300
to-yielda1375
overgivec1384
grant1390
forbeara1400
livera1400
forgoc1400
upgive1415
permit1429
quit1429
renderc1436
relinquish1479
abandonc1485
to hold up?1499
enlibertyc1500
surrender1509
cess1523
relent1528
to cast up?1529
resignate1531
uprender1551
demit1563
disclaim1567
to fling up1587
to give up1589
quittance1592
vail1593
enfeoff1598
revoke1599
to give off1613
disownc1620
succumb1632
abdicate1633
delinquish1645
discount1648
to pass away1650
to turn off1667
choke1747
to jack up1870
chuck up (the sponge)1878
chuckc1879
unget1893
sling1902
to jack in1948
punt1966
to-leave-
c893 tr. Orosius Hist. i. xii. §3 He þæt wæs eall forsacende.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 147 Hie forsoken þe wereld and eorðliche wele.
a1240 Ureisun in Cott. Hom. 195 Vor þine luue ich uorsoc al þet me leof was.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 23045 Þaa þat..al þis werld welth forsok.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xix. 88 He hase forsaken wyf and childer and all þe ricches..of þe werld.
1548 Princess Elizabeth & J. Bale tr. Queen Margaret of Angoulême Godly Medytacyon Christen Sowle f. 19v I ded rather forsake my ryght, than to beholde suche cruelnesse.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. ix. 12 b Forsaking the name of a Captayne any longer, caused himselfe to be called king.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. B4v For himselfe, himselfe he must forsake . View more context for this quotation
1782 W. Cowper Hope in Poems 170 Forsaking country, kindred, friends.
b. To break off from, renounce (an employment, design, esp. an evil practice or sin; also, a belief, doctrine). †Till 17th cent. occasionally with infinitive as object.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > unaccustomedness or state of disuse > give up a habit or practice [verb (transitive)]
leaveeOE
forsakec1175
waive1340
twinc1386
refuse1389
to set aside1426
relinquish1454
abuse1471
renouncec1480
disaccustom1483
to break from1530
to lay aside1530
disprofess1590
dropa1616
to set bya1674
decline1679
unpractise?1680
slough1845
shake1872
sluff1934
kick1936
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose or intention [verb (transitive)] > desert/renounce a cause, principle, or person
withsayc960
forsakec1175
renayc1300
waive1303
to waive from1303
allayc1330
to fall from ——c1350
relinquish1454
forlesec1460
to give over1477
missake1481
return1483
guerpe1484
abrenounce1537
to turn the back uponc1540
renege1548
forspeak1565
recant1567
reject1574
abnegate1616
abrenunciate1618
derelinque1623
ejurate1623
to give one the backa1624
derelinquisha1631
ejure1642
delinquish1645
desert1654
deviate1757
to give up1970
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 81 He scal his sunne uor-saken.
c1200 Vices & Virtues (1888) 23 Nu ðurh godes grace þu hes hafst forsaken.
c1305 St. Andrew 6 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 98 Þis oþere here nettes gonne forsake.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Heb. x. 25 Not forsakynge oure gederinge to gidere, as it is of custom to sum men.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xi. 42 Þe emperour..forsuke Cristen fayth.
1401 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 49 Who wil allege the temple for glorie of our chirche, fforsake he to be cristen.
c1460 Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 236 Vertu, godede, & almisdede, arn al for-sake.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Publyke Baptisme f. iii*v Doest thou forsake the deuill and all his workes?
1558 Bp. T. Watson Holsome Doctr. Seuen Sacramentes xxix. f. clxxxiiv He must forsake to dwel with hys father and mother.
1601 R. Chester Loves Martyr 130 Haue I forsooke to bath me in the flouds.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 128 Streighten'd by my space, I must forsake This Task. View more context for this quotation
a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 138 We were forc'd to forsake our intended visit.
1833 T. Arnold Let. 11 Nov. in A. P. Stanley Life & Corr. T. Arnold (1844) II. viii. 18 Nor that the doctrine of Christ crucified and Christ risen, has been so forsaken.
1894 J. T. Fowler in St. Adamnan Vita S. Columbae Introd. 56 The southern Picts..had forsaken idolatry.
4. absolute.a1839 W. M. Praed Poems (1864) I. 363 He'll learn to flatter and forsake.1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 100 If thou forsake, we verily do the same.† b. Of things: To fail, disappoint the hopes of. Obsolete.
a. To abandon, leave entirely, withdraw from; esp. to withdraw one's presence and help or companionship from; to desert. †to forsake patch: ? to quit the spot.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > forsake
forlet971
beleavec1175
letc1175
forleavec1225
forsakea1300
waivec1330
forgoa1400
forhowa1400
sakea1400
forloinc1400
forlesec1460
abandonc1475
destitute1530
aband1587
bandon1587
leese1590
linquish1591
desert1603
derelicta1631
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose or intention [verb (transitive)] > desert or deny a person
forsakea1300
refusec1350
nitec1390
swerve1390
relinquish1472
relinque1483
renounce1582
to fling off1587
derelicta1631
relapse1633
plant1743
to throw over1835
chuck up (the sponge)1878
ditch1899
ruck1903
to run out on1912
to walk out1921
squib1938
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)]
wendeOE
i-wite971
ashakec975
shakeOE
to go awayOE
witea1000
afareOE
agoOE
atwendOE
awayOE
to wend awayOE
awendOE
gangOE
rimeOE
flitc1175
to fare forthc1200
depart?c1225
part?c1225
partc1230
to-partc1275
biwitec1300
atwitea1325
withdrawa1325
to draw awayc1330
passc1330
to turn one's (also the) backc1330
lenda1350
begonec1370
remuea1375
voidc1374
removec1380
to long awaya1382
twinc1386
to pass one's wayc1390
trussc1390
waive1390
to pass out ofa1398
avoida1400
to pass awaya1400
to turn awaya1400
slakec1400
wagc1400
returnc1405
to be gonea1425
muck1429
packc1450
recede1450
roomc1450
to show (a person) the feetc1450
to come offc1475
to take one's licence1475
issue1484
devoidc1485
rebatea1500
walka1500
to go adieua1522
pikea1529
to go one's ways1530
retire?1543
avaunt1549
to make out1558
trudge1562
vade?1570
fly1581
leave1593
wag1594
to get off1595
to go off1600
to put off1600
shog1600
troop1600
to forsake patch1602
exit1607
hence1614
to give offa1616
to take off1657
to move off1692
to cut (also slip) the painter1699
sheera1704
to go about one's business1749
mizzle1772
to move out1792
transit1797–1803
stump it1803
to run away1809
quit1811
to clear off1816
to clear out1816
nash1819
fuff1822
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
mosey1829
slope1830
to tail out1830
to walk one's chalks1835
to take away1838
shove1844
trot1847
fade1848
evacuate1849
shag1851
to get up and get1854
to pull out1855
to cut (the) cable(s)1859
to light out1859
to pick up1872
to sling one's Daniel or hook1873
to sling (also take) one's hook1874
smoke1893
screw1896
shoot1897
voetsak1897
to tootle off1902
to ship out1908
to take a (run-out, walk-out, etc.) powder1909
to push off1918
to bugger off1922
biff1923
to fuck off1929
to hit, split or take the breeze1931
to jack off1931
to piss offa1935
to do a mick1937
to take a walk1937
to head off1941
to take a hike1944
moulder1945
to chuff off1947
to get lost1947
to shoot through1947
skidoo1949
to sod off1950
peel1951
bug1952
split1954
poop1961
mugger1962
frig1965
a1300 Cursor Mundi 1228 He þaim for-soke in al þer nedis.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter vi. 7 Til whaim now he spekis forsakand þaire felaghschip.
c1386 G. Chaucer Friar's Tale 224 I wol holde company with the, Til it be so that thou forsake me.
c1422 T. Hoccleve Learn to Die 506 Forsake y am, frendshipe y can noon fynde.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxi. 461 Whan mawgys sawe that they forsoke the place, he followed theym not.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) cxxxviii. 516 They..forsoke theyr horses on the see syde.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Matrimonie f. xiii*v And forsaking all other kepe thee only to her.
1602 R. Carew Surv. Cornwall ii. f. 135 The Foy men gaue them so rough entertaynment at their welcome, that they were glad to forsake patch, without bidding farewell.
1674 tr. P. M. de la Martinière New Voy. Northern Countries 64 The night forsook us quite, the Sun continuing always in our sight.
1713 J. Addison Cato ii. vi Thou hast forsook Thy Juba's cause.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth V. 318 Larks..forsake that climate in winter.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague ii. iv I implored her to forsake the city.
1833 L. Ritchie Wanderings by Loire 115 The road forsakes the river.
1841 R. W. Emerson Love in Ess. 1st Ser. (London ed.) 170 This passion..though it begin with the young, yet forsakes not the old.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxvii. 197 It [a hut] was forsaken, and half buried in the snow.
1881 B. Jowett tr. Thucydides Hist. Peloponnesian War I. 45 Those who forsake allies whom they have sworn to defend.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > disappointment > disappoint, frustrate [verb (transitive)]
swikeOE
beguile1483
deludea1513
disappointa1513
dispointa1513
forsake1526
betray1594
mock1600
frustrate1663
evade1692
elude1694
balk1735
to let down1795
slip1890
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Bvi The corruptible rychesse of this worlde..forsaketh & deceyueth hym whan he weneth leste.
1610 G. Carleton Iurisdict. v. 73 It is not to be marueiled, if the truth of Religion afterward forsaked them.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth V. 359 Their food..never forsakes them in those warm latitudes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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