Definitions for: Forestall


[v] keep from happening or arising; have the effect of preventing; "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"
[v] act in advance of; deal with ahead of time



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

Synonyms: anticipate, counter, forbid, foreclose, foresee, preclude, prevent

See Also: act, avert, avoid, baffle, bilk, block, blockade, cross, debar, deflect, embarrass, fend off, foil, frustrate, halt, head off, hinder, kibosh, make unnecessary, move, obstruct, obviate, queer, save, scotch, spoil, stave off, stop, stymie, stymy, thwart, ward off

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