I. ˈfōrˌstȯl, ˈfȯr-, ˈfōəˌ-, ˈfȯ(ə)ˌ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English forstall, forestall, from Old English foresteall, from fore- + steall position, stall — more at stall
1. : an offense under old English law of feloniously waylaying on the highway ; also : the feudal franchise of jurisdiction over this offense
2.
a. : frontstall
b. : front 2d(2)
II. ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English forstallen, forestallen, to ambush, intercept, from forstall, forestall, n.
1. archaic : to intercept, lie in wait for, or stop the passage of (a person or thing) especially on the road or highway and for a felonious purpose
2. : to exclude, hinder, or prevent by prior occupation or by measures taken in advance
3.
a. : to get ahead of : act in advance of : take or think of beforehand
b. obsolete : to take possession of in advance of someone or something else especially to the exclusion or detriment of the latter : deprive by prior action
4. obsolete : obstruct , beset
forestall a road
: prevent ingress (as of a tenant) to (rented premises)
5. : to anticipate or prevent the normal trading in (as a market) by buying or contracting for merchandise or provisions on their way to the market with the intention of reselling at a higher price, by dissuading persons from bringing merchandise or provisions to market, or by persuading those who have brought merchandise or provisions to market to raise the price
forestalling the wheat harvest and selling it at three times its cost — G.B.Shaw
Synonyms: see prevent