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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.

An instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitudes of heavenly bodies, now superseded by the sextant; -- called also cross- staff. Brande & C.

A duty or tribute payable to the king's foresters.

Of or pertaining to forests; as, forestal rights.

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.

One who forestalls; esp., one who forestalls the market. Locke.

A large, strong rope, reaching from the foremast head to the bowsprit, to support the mast. See Illust. under Ship.

One who has charge of the growing timber on an estate; an officer appointed to watch a forest and preserve the game.

Front stick of a hearth fire.

The art of forming or of cultivating forests; the management of growing timber.

See Forswat.

A taste beforehand; enjoyment in advance; anticipation.

One who tastes beforehand, or before another.

To teach beforehand. [Obs.]

To predict; to tell before occurence; to prophesy; to foreshow. Deeds then undone my faithful tongue foretold. Pope. Prodigies, foretelling the future eminence and luster of his character. C. Middleton.

One who predicts. Boyle.

To think beforehand; to anticipate in the mind; to prognosticate. [Obs.] The soul of every man Prophetically doth forethink thy fall. Shak.

Thought of, or planned, beforehand; aforethought; prepense; hence, deliberate. "Forethought malice." Bacon.

Having forethought. [R.]

The past; the time before the present. "A very dim foretime." J. C. Shairp.