Fore*stall" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Forestalled (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Forestalling.] [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) 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.
