forget English · revision 2604

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725|origins=gmw-pro *fragetan}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /fəˈɡet/, US /fɚˈɡet/, /fɔːr-/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|foryeten]], also forgeten,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[inh|ang|forġietan|alt=forgietan|t=to lose the power of recalling; to neglect]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000)^(SOED 2002) from West Germanic,^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004) formed from [[m|ang|for-|t=away, amiss]], probably with privative force, and [[m|ang|-ġietan|t=to grasp]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) the source of [[get]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) It is thus “to un-get”, to lose from the mind.^(Etymonline) It is a common Germanic formation: compare Old Saxon fargetan, Dutch [[m|nl|vergeten]] and German [[m|de|vergessen]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Old English forgytan: about 725.^(Barnhart 1988) The OED's first quotation, “to lose remembrance of”, is from about 888.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Etymonline notes that the physical sense, “to lose one's grip on”, is not recorded in any Germanic language.^(Etymonline) “To omit through inadvertence, neglect” is from about 950,^(OED 1989) and “to cease to think of, take no notice of” from about 1000.^(OED 1989) “To leave something behind inadvertently” is from before 1300,^(OED 1989) and the figurative “to lose care for” from the late 13th century.^(Etymonline) ''Forgive and forget'' was proverbial from before 1225.^(OED 1989) “To omit to mention” is from 1538.^(OED 1989) The noun, a lapse of memory, is a colloquial use from 1861.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – ''forgytan''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 888 – to cease to remember.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 950 – to neglect.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1225 – with ''forgive''.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1300 – to leave behind.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1538 – to omit to mention.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1861 – noun, a lapse of memory.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To be unable to [[remember]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To fail to do something through inattention; to [[neglect]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To leave behind unintentionally.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To fail to mention.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To put out of one's mind deliberately.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[forgetter]]

+ * [[forgettable]]

+ * [[forget-me-not]]

+ * [[forgetful]]

+ * [[forgettery]]

+ * [[unforgettable]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[get]]

+ * [[beget]]

+ * [[forgotten]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The past participle is ''forgotten'', while ''forgot'' is now American, archaic or poetic.^(SOED 2002)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}