Forego, v. t. [imp. Forewent 2; p. p. Foregone; p. pr. & vb. n. Foregoing.]
Etymology: [See Forgo.]
1. To quit; to relinquish; to leave. Stay at the third cup, or forego the place. Herbert.
2. To relinquish the enjoyment or advantage of; to give up; to resign; to renounce; -- said of a thing already enjoyed, or of one within reach, or anticipated. All my patrimony,, If need be, I am ready to forego. Milton. Thy lovers must their promised heaven forego. Keble. [He] never forewent an opportunity of honest profit. R. L. Stevenson.
Note: Forgo is the better spelling etymologically, but the word has been confused with Forego, to go before.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Forego, v. t.
To go before; to precede; -- used especially in the present and past participles. Pleasing remembrance of a thought foregone. Wordsworth. For which the very mother's face forewent The mother's special patience. Mrs. Browning. Foregone conclusion, one which has preceded argument or examination; one predetermined.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for forego; he lists it under abandon.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.