Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Forestall?

\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. 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. Syn: To anticipate; monopolize; engross.