Part 285

Fore*spent", a. [Obs.] See Forspent.

Fore*spur"rer (?), n. One who rides before; a harbinger. [Obs.] Shak.

For"est (?), n. [OF. forest, F. forÍt, LL. forestis, also, forestus, forestum, foresta, prop., open ground reserved for the chase, fr. L. foris, foras, out of doors, abroad. See Foreign.] 1. An extensive wood; a large tract of land covered with trees; in the United States, a wood of native growth, or a tract of woodland which has never been cultivated.

2. (Eng. Law) A large extent or precinct of country, generally waste and woody, belonging to the sovereign, set apart for the keeping of game for his use, not inclosed, but distinguished by certain limits, and protected by certain laws, courts, and officers of its own. Burrill.

For"est, a. Of or pertaining to a forest; sylvan.

Forest fly. (Zoˆl.) (a) One of numerous species of blood-sucking flies, of the family TabanidÊ, which attack both men and beasts. See Horse fly. (b) A fly of the genus Hippobosca, esp. H. equina. See Horse tick. -- Forest glade, a grassy space in a forest. Thomson. -- Forest laws, laws for the protection of game, preservation of timber, etc., in forests. -- Forest tree, a tree of the forest, especially a timber tree, as distinguished from a fruit tree.

For"est, v. t. To cover with trees or wood.

Fore"staff` (?), n. (Naut.) An instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitudes of heavenly bodies, now superseded by the sextant; -- called also cross-staff. Brande & C.

For"est*age (?), n. [Cf. F. forestage.] (O. Eng. Law) (a) A duty or tribute payable to the king's foresters. (b) A service paid by foresters to the king.

For"est*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to forests; as, forestal rights.

Fore*stall" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Forestalled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Forestalling.] [OE. forstallen to stop, to obstruct; to stop (goods) on the way to the market by buying them beforehand, from forstal obstruction, AS. forsteal, foresteall, prop., a placing one's self before another. See Fore, and Stall.] 1. To take beforehand, or in advance; to anticipate.

What need a man forestall his date of grief, And run to meet what he would most avoid?

Milton.

2. To take possession of, in advance of some one or something else, to the exclusion or detriment of the latter; to get ahead of; to preoccupy; also, to exclude, hinder, or prevent, by prior occupation, or by measures taken in advance.

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An ugly serpent which forestalled their way.

Fairfax.

But evermore those damsels did forestall Their furious encounter.

Spenser.

To be forestalled ere we come to fall.

Shak.

Habit is a forestalled and obstinate judge.

Rush.

3. To deprive; -- with of. [R.]

All the better; may This night forestall him of the coming day!

Shak.

4. (Eng. Law) To obstruct or stop up, as a way; to stop the passage of on highway; to intercept on the road, as goods on the way to market.

To forestall the market, to buy or contract for merchandise or provision on its way to market, with the intention of selling it again at a higher price; to dissuade persons from bringing their goods or provisions there; or to persuade them to enhance the price when there. This was an offense at law in England until 1844. Burrill.