forecast
UK[ˈfɔːkɑːst]US[ˈfɔːrkæst]
v
To say what you think will happen in the future, based on information you have now.
n
A statement about what is likely to happen in the future, based on available information.
Morpheme Breakdown
fore
cast
fore
before
cast
throw/arrange
Etymology
The word 'forecast' is a native English compound formed from two ancient Germanic elements. The prefix 'fore-' has Proto-Germanic origins, signifying what is ahead in time or position. The verb 'cast' entered English from Old Norse, originally meaning to throw objects. By the late 14th century, 'cast' had developed the extended sense of planning, arranging, or calculating, as in "casting accounts." The fusion of these ideas—"to throw or project forward in time"—creates the logical foundation for the modern meaning: to predict or estimate a future event by analyzing present data. This semantic evolution from a physical act (throwing) to a mental projection exemplifies a common metaphorical pathway in language development.
Analysis
Structure: fore (before) + cast (throw/arrange)
- fore: From Old English fore-, meaning "before, in front of." It is a Germanic prefix indicating precedence in time or place.
- cast: From Old Norse kasta, meaning "to throw." In this compound, it carries the sense of arranging, calculating, or projecting something.
Examples
The weather forecast predicts heavy rain for the weekend.
Economists forecast a period of slow growth for the coming year.
Her early forecast about the company's success proved to be accurate.