afterthink

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word afterthink. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word afterthink, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say afterthink in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word afterthink you have here. The definition of the word afterthink will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofafterthink, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

Compound of after- +‎ think, probably a calque of Ancient Greek μετάνοια (metánoia).

Verb

afterthink (third-person singular simple present afterthinks, present participle afterthinking, simple past and past participle afterthought)

  1. To think about after the fact, reflect on.
  2. To repent, or feel remorse for; to regret.
    • 2005, John Long, Drugs and the 'Beats': The Role of Drugs in the Lives and Writings:
      Do not afterthink except for poetic or P.S. reasons. Never afterthink to "improve" or defray impressions, as the best writing is always the most painful personal wrung-out tossed from cradle warm protective mind – tap from yourself the song of yourself, blow! – now! [...]
    • 1870, Theodore Percival Wilson, Frank Oldfield; or, Lost and found:
      Never fear," said her husband ; " there, sit you down and mend your stockings, and the less you heed us the less you'll have to afterthink."