forsake

views updated

for·sake / fərˈsāk; fôr-/ • v. (past -sook / -ˈsoŏk/ ; past part. -sak·en / -ˈsākən/ ) [tr.] chiefly poetic/lit. abandon (someone or something): he would never forsake Tara | [as adj.] (forsaken) fig. a tiny, forsaken island. ∎  renounce or give up (something valued or pleasant): I won't forsake my vegetarian principles.DERIVATIVES: for·sak·en·ness n.for·sak·er n.