Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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noun
An ambush; plot; an interception; waylaying; rescue.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical, obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Something situated or placed in front.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To purchase the complete supply of a good, particularly foodstuffs, in order to charge a monopoly price.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To anticipate, to act foreseeingly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To deprive (with of).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To obstruct or stop up, as a road; to stop the passage of a highway; to intercept on the road, as goods on the way to market.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: prevent, foreclose, preclude, forbid
Antonyms: none provided
Narrower terms: save, make unnecessary, debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off, obstruct, blockade, block, hinder, stymie, stymy, embarrass, thwart, queer, spoil, scotch, foil, cross, frustrate, baffle, bilk, stop, halt, kibosh
verb
act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: anticipate, foresee, counter
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: act, move
History
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 fore- + stall.
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”), equivalent to fore- + stall.
Across languages
34 source translations are retained for this English entry.
