Where does “heretofore” come from?

Heretofore derives from Middle English heretoforn, a compound of here (here) and toforn (before), meaning before this time or previously.

heretofore (English): Prior to now, until now, up to the present time;...

Definitions

  1. Prior to now, until now, up to the present time;...

Ancestry of “heretofore”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishheretoforn—
2Old Englishtōforanin front of
3Old Englishtōat, on; furthermore, also, besides; to, into
4Proto-West Germanic*tō—
5Proto-Germanictōto
6Proto-Indo-EuropeandeEmphatic or contrastive particle, and, but;...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European de →Every word from Proto-Germanic tō →Every word from Proto-West Germanic *tō →