Forcut

/fɔːrˈkʌt/ verb

Definition

To cut off or cut short in advance; to prevent or curtail something by cutting before it happens.

Etymology

From for- (prefix meaning before or in advance) + cut (from Old English cyttan). The prefix shifts 'cut' from a simple action to one done preemptively.

Kelly Says

Shakespeare and his contemporaries used 'forcut' for dramatic effect—when a character forcut a rival's supply lines or forcut their escape route, the prefix added strategic cunning to the action.

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