Dictionary entries for 'forestall'

Synonyms

avert
forfend
obviate
preclude
prevent
rule out
stave off
ward

fore·stall (fôr-stôĺ, fōr-)

[Middle English forestallen, to waylay and rob, from forestal, highway robbery, ambush, from Old English foresteall, fore-, fore-, + steall, position.]

transitive verb: -stalled, -stall·ing, -stalls.

To delay, hinder, or prevent by taking precautionary measures beforehand. See synonyms at prevent
To deal with or think of beforehand; anticipate.
To prevent or hinder normal sales in (a market) by buying up merchandise, discouraging persons from bringing their goods to market, or encouraging an increase in prices in goods already on sale.

derivatives

fore·stalĺer: noun
fore·stalĺment: noun

transitive verb: -stalled, -stall·ing, -stalls.

derivatives

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition