foresentence

plural foresentences · alternative fore-sentence

1. rarelawA sentence or condemnation in advance.

   To move on that note from our deficient techniques of fact-gathering, there is a troublesome quality of class bias both in the subjects treated in foresentence reports and the standard modes of treatment.

   1975, H. Richard Uviller, The Processes of Criminal Justice: Investigation, page 794

2. religiousProphetic doom.

present singular third person foresentences · participle present foresentencing · participle past foresentenced · past foresentenced · alternative fore-sentence

1. raretransitiveTo sentence beforehand or in advance.

   On the strength of having a good time in one's teens, one foresentences one's manhood to derision at an early age: and to a life-long subjection to women and younger exoletes.

   1934, Roy Campbell, Broken Record: Reminiscences - Page 158

   1 more example

   Be it not mine to foresentence a sinner, whose sin's consummation Prefaced his ultimate ruin—his last dying act may atone For some misdeeds ; and whatever be written of Hell and damnation, God alone knows what is gospel; […]

   1889, Charles Allan Sherard, A Daughter of the South and Other Poems - Page 10