Forwent

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /fɔɹˈwɛnt/

Definitions

1. Having made a decision to renounce an opportunity or benefit
2. Chose not to take or enjoy something previously available
3. Decided to do without a chance or advantage in the past

Etymology: "Forwent" is the past tense of "forgo," meaning to go without something or give it up. It is built from "for-," an Old English prefix meaning "away" or "off," or "without" in the sense of giving something up, joined to "went," the past tense of "go." Forgo itself comes from the Old English "forgān," which meant to pass by, neglect, or do without, so the word has always carried the sense of letting something go by. The past tense "forwent" is the form of "forgo" that readers most often meet. Its spelling can mislead, since "went" at its end looks like a plain past tense of "go," but the whole word is a single verb rather than a phrase meaning "went away."

Synonyms: abandoned, relinquished, sacrificed

Antonyms: retained, kept, held