Word of the Day

Sunday February 21, 2010

forsake [for-SAYK]

transitive verb

To quit or leave entirely; to desert or abandon; to depart or withdraw from; to leave.
To renounce; to reject; to refuse.

Neither Ben nor I want to forsake our roots - especially Ben, who, despite giving up proximity to family to come to this country and work, still in many ways yearns for home. But I am hopeful as our relationship evolves that we can continue to be patient, to challenge each other, and to remain open to new perspectives.

Neely Steinberg, "A foreign affair; Coupling; Dating a non-American can be frustrating - and eye-opening", Boston Globe, Jan 31, 2010
Nonetheless, one should never forsake the idea of personal renewal. Even recognizing that we are in need of improvement is a useful step. The exercise of making resolutions forces us to acknowledge our failings. We shouldn't have to wait until the New Year to draw up such an inventory.

Leonard Stern, "Benjamin Franklin, self-improvement guru; Want to become a better person? Ditch your cynicism and get yourself some help from the bookshelf", The Vancouver Sun, Jan 5, 2010
A good son, a very good son, you have been to us, Matthew," said he; "and we have little fear that you will forsake the principles you take with you, or give us trouble for any unhandsome act of your life. But this world has many temptations; singular and strange events fill up our experience; and a little counsel never comes amiss.

Day Kellogg Lee An American clergyman and author. Summerfield (1852)

Origin of the Word

Forsake, derives from Old English forsacan "decline, refuse," from for- "completely" + sacan "to deny, refuse."