forestall

English

/fɔː(ɹ)ˈstɔːl/, /ˈfɔː(ɹ).stɔːl/

verb
Definitions
  • (transitive) To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.
  • (transitive) To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible.
  • (archaic) To purchase the complete supply of a good, particularly foodstuffs, in order to charge a monopoly price.
  • To anticipate, to act foreseeingly.
  • To deprive (with of).
  • (UK) 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.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English forestallen (way-lay, ambush, forestall, intercept) inherited from Old English foresteall (ambush, opposition, an intervention, offence of waylaying on the highway, fine for such an offence, assault, hindrance, resistance, intervention, hindrance of justice) prefix from English stall.

Origin

English

stall

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms