Fore"lock` (?), n. 1. The lock of hair that grows from the forepart of
the head.
2. (Mech.) A cotter or split pin, as in a slot in a bolt, to prevent
retraction; a linchpin; a pin fastening the cap-square of a gun.
Forelock bolt, a bolt retained by a key, gib, or cotter passing through
a slot. -- Forelock hook (Rope Making), a winch or whirl by which a
bunch of three yarns is twisted into a standard. Knight. -- To take
time, or occasion, by the forelock, to make prompt use of anything; not
to let slip an opportunity.
Time is painted with a lock before and bald behind, signifying
thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for when it is once
past, there is no recalling it.
Swift.
On occasion's forelock watchful wait.
Milton.
Fore*look" (?), v. i. To look beforehand or forward. [Obs.] Spenser.
Fore"man (?), n.; pl. Foremen (&?;). The first or chief man; as: (a)
The chief man of a jury, who acts as their speaker. (b) The chief of a
set of hands employed in a shop, or on works of any kind, who
superintends the rest; an overseer.
Fore"mast` (?), n. (Naut.) The mast nearest the bow.
Foremast hand or man (Naut.), a common sailor; also, a man stationed to
attend to the gear of the foremast.
Fore*meant" (?), a. Intended beforehand; premeditated. [Obs.] Spenser.
Fore"men`tioned (?), a. Mentioned before; already cited;
aforementioned. Addison.
Fore"milk` (?), n. (Physiol.) The milk secreted just before, or
directly after, the birth of a child or of the young of an animal;
colostrum.
Fore"most` (?), a. [OE. formest first, AS. formest, fyrmest, superl. of
forma first, which is a superl. fr. fore fore; cf. Goth. frumist,
fruma, first. See Fore, adv., and cf. First, Former, Frame, v. t.,
Prime, a.] First in time or place; most advanced; chief in rank or
dignity; as, the foremost troops of an army.
THat struck the foremost man of all this world.
Shak.
Fore"most`ly, adv. In the foremost place or order; among the foremost.
J. Webster.
Fore"moth`er (?), n. A female ancestor.
Fore"name` (?), n. A name that precedes the family name or surname; a
first name. Selden.
Fore"name`, v. t. To name or mention before. Shak.
Fore"named` (?), a. Named before; aforenamed.
Fore*nenst" (?), prep. [See Fore, and Anent.] Over against; opposite
to. [Now dialectic]
The land forenenst the Greekish shore.
Fairfax.