• Forge

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /fɔːdÍ¡Ê’/
    • US IPA: /foəɹdÍ¡Ê’/, /fɔːɹdÍ¡Ê’/
    • Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)dÊ’

    Origin 1

    From Old French forge, early Old French faverge, from Latin fabrica ("workshop"), from faber ("workman in hard materials, smith") (genitive fabri).

    Noun

    forge

    (plural forges)
    1. Furnace or hearth where metals are heated prior to hammering them into shape.
    2. Workshop in which metals are shaped by heating and hammering them.
    3. The act of beating or working iron or steel.
      • Francis BaconIn the greater bodies the forge was easy.

    Origin 2

    From Anglo-Norman forger, from Old French forgier, from Latin fabrico ("to frame, construct, build").

    Full definition of forge

    Verb

    1. (metallurgy) To shape a metal by heating and hammering.
      • ShakespeareMars's armor forged for proof eterne
    2. To form or create with concerted effort.The politician's recent actions are an effort to forge a relationship with undecided voters.
      • John LockeThose names that the schools forged, and put into the mouth of scholars, could never get admittance into common use.
      • Tennyson... do forge a life-long trouble for ourselves.
    3. To create a forgery of; to make a counterfeit item of; to copy or imitate unlawfully.He had to forge his ex-wife's signature.''The jury learned the documents had been forged.
    4. To make falsely; to produce, as that which is untrue or not genuine; to fabricate.
      • HudibrasThat paltry story is untrue,
        And forged to cheat such gulls as you.

    Origin 3

    Make way, move ahead, most likely an alteration of force, but perhaps from forge (n.), via notion of steady hammering at something. Originally nautical, in referrence to vessels.

    Verb

    1. (often as forge ahead) To move forward heavily and slowly (originally as a ship); to advance gradually but steadily; to proceed towards a goal in the face of resistance or difficulty.The party of explorers forged through the thick underbrush.We decided to forge ahead with our plans even though our biggest underwriter backed out.
      • De QuinceyAnd off she ship forged without a shock.
    2. (sometimes as forge ahead) To advance, move or act with an abrupt increase in speed or energy.With seconds left in the race, the runner forged into first place.

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