English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English forlyven, equivalent to for- +‎ live. Cognate with German verleben (to spend, spend time).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /fə(ɹ)ˈlɪv/, /fɔː(ɹ)ˈlɪv/

Verb edit

forlive (third-person singular simple present forlives, present participle forliving, simple past and past participle forlived)

  1. (intransitive) To live pervertedly.
  2. (intransitive) To outlive one's strength; become decrepit; degenerate in race or nature; become wretched.
    • 1810, Joseph Ames, Thomas Frognall Dibdin, Typographical antiquities:
      For if ye look your beginning, and God your father, author, and your maker, then is there none forlived wight or ungentle, but if he nourish his courage unto vices, and forelet his proper birth.

Derived terms edit

Anagrams edit