Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FORTHINK, v. Sc. usages. The word has been only dial. in Eng. since 1600. Pa.t. forthocht. [fər′θɪŋk]

1. To have second thoughts, to reconsider (ne.Sc. 1953). Now gen. in pa.t. with noun clause. Sometimes refl.Sc. 1705 Papers Rev. J. Anderson 78:
My wife came up, to whom, upon very little provocation, I gave some hard words, but I was surprised into them without forthinking.Bch. 1929 Abd. Univ. Review (March) 131:
Aifter A hid gaen by a bittie, A forthocht masel' 'at gin it wiz some peer craetur perishin' o' hunger an' caul' i' the kirkyard, A ocht ta gang an' see.

2. To regret, repent, †tr. and absol. (ne.Sc. 1953). Fif. 1704 D. Webster Witchcraft (1820) 131: 
She would make Jean Rizet forethink what she had done.Sc. 1827 Scott Croftangry in Chrons. Canongate v.:
Bethink ye whether ye will . . . maybe look back and think lang for ha'en kiven it away whilk is a creat sin to forthink a wark o' charity.