[for.est] n, often attrib [ME, fr. OF, fr. LL forestis (silva) unenclosed (woodland), fr. L foris outside--more at forum] (13c) 1: a dense growth of trees and underbrush covering a large tract
2: a tract of wooded land in England formerly owned by the sovereign and used for game
3: something resembling a forest esp. in profusion "a ~ of microphones" -- for.est.al or fo.res.tial adj -- for.est.ed adj
[2]forest vt (ca. 1828): to cover with trees or forest -- for.es.ta.tion n