Forthcomes

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Archaically, it means to come out into view or to emerge from a hidden or unseen place
2. Describing something that steps out or appears before others, especially when it becomes visible or available
3. Used of a person or thing that arrives into sight, emerging or being brought forward for notice

Etymology: "Forthcomes" is the third-person singular present of "forthcome", a verb meaning to step into view or appear. The verb is formed from "forth" and "come", and it traces back to Old English "forþcuman", which meant "to come forth, proceed, arrive at, succeed, come to pass, come true, or be born". That spread of senses shows how the idea of coming out into the open could stretch to cover arrival, success and fulfilment. The Old English root is also the source of a related noun, "forþcyme", meaning "a forthcoming". Its descendants in German, such as "Fortkommen" meaning "advancement", preserve the older sense of getting ahead in the world, which the English verb has largely lost.