FORESTALLS
Verb
forestalls
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of forestall
Source: Wiktionary
FORESTALL
Fore*stall", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Forestalled; p. pr. & vb. n.
Forestalling.] Etym: [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)
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition