Forestall

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈfɔɹ.stÉ”l/

From Middle English forstal, from Old English foresteall ("an intervention, hindrance (of justice), ambush, assault, offence of waylaying on the highway, fine for such an offence, resistance, opposition"), equivalent to - + stall.

Alternative forms

• foresteal, forsteal, forestal

Full definition of forestall

Noun

1. (obsolete or historical) An ambush; plot; an interception; waylaying; rescue.
2. Something situated or placed in front.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /fɔɹˈstÉ”l/
• Rhymes: -ɔːl

From Middle English forestallen ("to forestall, intercept, ambush, way-lay"), from forestalle ("a forestalling, interception"), from Old English foresteall ("intervention, hindrance of justice, ambush"), from fore- ("ahead of, before") + steall ("position").

Verb

1. (transitive) To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.Fred forestalled disaster by his prompt action.
2. (transitive) To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible.In French, an aspired h forestalls elision.
3. (archaic) To purchase the complete supply of a good, particularly foodstuffs, in order to charge a monopoly price.
4. To anticipate, to act foreseeingly.
• 1919, William Somerset Maugham, ,She insisted on doing her share of the offices needful to the sick. She arranged his bed so that it was possible to change the sheet without disturbing him. She washed him. ... She did not speak to him much, but she was quick to forestall his wants.

Synonyms

Derived terms

• forestaller
• forestallment
• forestalment

Anagrams

• fellators