forthwith
immediately
TRANSLATION
forthwith = gleich, sofort, unverzüglich effective forthwith = sofort in Kraft --- GOOGLE INDEX forthwith: approximately 3,000,000 hits
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
A statement on EuroManx's website said: "It is with great regret that EuroManx have announced today that the company is ceasing operations FORTHWITH with no further flights being operated."
(BBC News)
---
An internal investigation was conducted. We then went to the police who gave us more information and he was fired FORTHWITH said a senior official...
www.guardian.co
(BBC News)
---
An internal investigation was conducted. We then went to the police who gave us more information and he was fired FORTHWITH said a senior official...
www.guardian.co
Did you
know?
forthwith
adverb
- immediately
(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
---
WORD ORIGIN
Forthwith traces back to Middle English and is simply a compound word formed by "forth" (forward, onward) and "with" (along with, at the same time as). Around the middle of the 12th century, the phrase "forth mid" appeared. Mid is related to the German "mit" meaning with. Sometime later it changed to "forth with," meaning to go in the company of other people.
If you go with someone else, then of course you go at the same time as they do. Although it's not clear exactly why, the phrase eventually took on the sense of "right away, immediately," and was combined to form a single adverb instead of a phrase.
Forthwith was used in everyday conversations for centuries. These days, its use is typically reserved for situations that call for formal language. This includes contracts, court orders and statutes. For example:
If for any reason beyond the reasonable control of the consultant it becomes necessary to replace any of the personnel, the consultant shall forthwith provide as a replacement, a person of equivalent or better qualifications.
The framework in which it is used gives the word "forthwith" a typically dry tone. But it's also useful in a humorous context as illustrated by this line from the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera "The Mikado":
So he decreed, in words succinct,
That all who flirted, leered or winked
(Unless connubially* linked),
Should forthwith be beheaded.
*connubially means relating to marriage or the married state
Forth can be found in other compound words:
- forthcoming: about to appear
- henceforth: from this point on
- forthright: direct and without evasion; straightforward
---
SYNONYMS
directly, immediately, instantly, now, presently, pronto, quickly, straightaway, therewith
---
SMUGGLE OWAD INTO TODAY'S CONVERSATION:
"I have some good news,.. all staff will receive a performance bonus forthwith."
adverb
- immediately
(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
---
WORD ORIGIN
Forthwith traces back to Middle English and is simply a compound word formed by "forth" (forward, onward) and "with" (along with, at the same time as). Around the middle of the 12th century, the phrase "forth mid" appeared. Mid is related to the German "mit" meaning with. Sometime later it changed to "forth with," meaning to go in the company of other people.
If you go with someone else, then of course you go at the same time as they do. Although it's not clear exactly why, the phrase eventually took on the sense of "right away, immediately," and was combined to form a single adverb instead of a phrase.
Forthwith was used in everyday conversations for centuries. These days, its use is typically reserved for situations that call for formal language. This includes contracts, court orders and statutes. For example:
If for any reason beyond the reasonable control of the consultant it becomes necessary to replace any of the personnel, the consultant shall forthwith provide as a replacement, a person of equivalent or better qualifications.
The framework in which it is used gives the word "forthwith" a typically dry tone. But it's also useful in a humorous context as illustrated by this line from the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera "The Mikado":
So he decreed, in words succinct,
That all who flirted, leered or winked
(Unless connubially* linked),
Should forthwith be beheaded.
*connubially means relating to marriage or the married state
Forth can be found in other compound words:
- forthcoming: about to appear
- henceforth: from this point on
- forthright: direct and without evasion; straightforward
---
SYNONYMS
directly, immediately, instantly, now, presently, pronto, quickly, straightaway, therewith
---
SMUGGLE OWAD INTO TODAY'S CONVERSATION:
"I have some good news,.. all staff will receive a performance bonus forthwith."
