noun
Definition 1
Conclusion that 'went before', i.e. preceded, objective investigation and deduction, and that circumstance, opinion or prejudice has rendered unavoidable; assumption.
Source: Invertext
Context: It [Goldman Sachs] has not yet been declared a "tier-one financial holding company" – a systemically important institution that the Fed is supposed to watch over carefully – but that is a foregone conclusion.
Source: Financial Times 14/10/2009 (John Gapper)
Note
Despite appearances the 'foregone' in foregone conclusion is not derived from the verb forego still in use, but from an obsolete verb meaning to go before, precede.
Appears in the following subjects