n. [ OF. forest, F. forêt, LL. forestis, also, forestus, forestum, foresta, prop., open ground reserved for the chase, fr. L. foris, foras, out of doors, abroad. See Foreign. ] 1. An extensive wood; a large tract of land covered with trees; in the United States, a wood of native growth, or a tract of woodland which has never been cultivated. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Eng. Law) A large extent or precinct of country, generally waste and woody, belonging to the sovereign, set apart for the keeping of game for his use, not inclosed, but distinguished by certain limits, and protected by certain laws, courts, and officers of its own. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to a forest; sylvan. [ 1913 Webster ]

Forest fly. (Zool.) (a) One of numerous species of blood-sucking flies, of the family Tabanidæ, which attack both men and beasts. See Horse fly. (b) A fly of the genus Hippobosca, esp. H. equina. See Horse tick. --
Forest glade, a grassy space in a forest. Thomson. --
Forest laws, laws for the protection of game, preservation of timber, etc., in forests. --
Forest tree, a tree of the forest, especially a timber tree, as distinguished from a fruit tree. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cover with trees or wood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) An instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitudes of heavenly bodies, now superseded by the sextant; -- called also cross-staff. Brande & C. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. forestage. ] (O. Eng. Law) (a) A duty or tribute payable to the king's foresters. (b) A service paid by foresters to the king. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to forests; as, forestal rights. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

What need a man forestall his date of grief,
And run to meet what he would most avoid? Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

An ugly serpent which forestalled their way. Fairfax. [ 1913 Webster ]

But evermore those damsels did forestall
Their furious encounter. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

To be forestalled ere we come to fall. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Habit is a forestalled and obstinate judge. Rush. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To deprive; -- with of. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

All the better; may
This night forestall him of the coming day! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who forestalls; esp., one who forestalls the market. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) A large, strong rope, reaching from the foremast head to the bowsprit, to support the mast. See Illust. under Ship. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. covered with forest; as, efforts to protect forested lands of the northwest. [ WordNet 1.5 ]