FORAY

foray

(noun) an initial attempt (especially outside your usual areas of competence); “scientists’ forays into politics”

foray, raid, maraud

(noun) a sudden short attack

foray

(verb) briefly enter enemy territory

plunder, despoil, loot, reave, strip, rifle, ransack, pillage, foray

(verb) steal goods; take as spoils; “During the earthquake people looted the stores that were deserted by their owners”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

foray (plural forays)

A sudden or irregular incursion in border warfare; hence, any irregular incursion for war or spoils; a raid.

A brief excursion or attempt, especially outside one's accustomed sphere.

Verb

foray (third-person singular simple present forays, present participle foraying, simple past and past participle forayed)

(transitive) To scour (an area or place) for food, treasure, booty etc.

(intransitive) To pillage; to ravage.

Source: Wiktionary

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For"ay, n. Etym: [Another form of forahe. Cf. Forray.]

Definition: A sudden or irregular incursion in border warfare; hence, any irregular incursion for war or spoils; a raid. Spenser. The huge Earl Doorm, . . . Bound on a foray, rolling eyes of prey. Tennyson.

For"ay, v. t.

Definition: To pillage; to ravage. He might foray our lands. Sir W. Scott.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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