fore-run
Definition
- Verb:
- To run before; to precede: "fore-run" means to go before or to precede in time or position.
- To foreshadow or herald: "fore-run" also means to indicate or announce something in advance, often by serving as a sign or precursor.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- The dark clouds fore-ran the impending storm. (The clouds preceded and signaled the storm.)
- His early successes fore-ran a brilliant career. (His early achievements foreshadowed his later accomplishments.)
Advanced Usage
"to fore-run an event": to act as a sign or precursor of a future occurrence.
- The economic downturn fore-ran a period of widespread hardship. (The downturn heralded the hardship.)
"to fore-run a person": to go before someone as a guide or forerunner.
- The scouts fore-ran the main army to survey the terrain. (The scouts went ahead of the army.)
Variants and Related Words
Forerunner (n): a person or thing that precedes and indicates the approach of another; a precursor.
- The steam engine was a forerunner of modern locomotives. (The steam engine preceded and led to modern locomotives.)
Fore-runner (n): an alternative spelling of "forerunner," meaning one who runs before or heralds.
Synonyms
- Precede: to come before in time or order.
- Herald: to announce or signal the approach of something.
- Foreshadow: to be a warning or indication of a future event.
Phrasal Verbs
Related Idioms
Additional Notes
- The verb "fore-run" is primarily used in formal, historical, or literary contexts. It is less common in everyday modern English, where words like "precede" or "foreshadow" are more frequently employed.