01 v. t. To take beforehand, or in advance; to anticipate.
imp. & p. p.
Forestalled; p. pr. & vb. n.
Forestalling
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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.
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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.
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3.
To deprive; -- with of.[R.]“All the better; may This night forestall him of the coming day!” — Shak.
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4.
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.(Eng. Law)
Phrases & compounds
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.
Syn.
To anticipate; monopolize; engross.