| 释义 |
ˈfore-horse
[f. fore- prefix + horse.]
The foremost horse in a team, ‘leader’.
1483Fun. Edw. IV, in Lett. & Pap. Rich. III (Rolls) I. 7 Upon the fore horse, and the thil horse sat ij chariot men. 1592Greene Upst. Courtier in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) II. 218 They wore beesoms of thrift in their hats like fore-horses. a1670Hacket Abp. Williams i. (1692) 28 None of his fellows had cause to repent that he rode upon the fore⁓horse. 1718Freethinker No. 144 ⁋8 The Nobleman is but the Fore-Horse in the Team. 1824Miss Mitford Village Ser. i. (1863) 199 The fore-horse decked with ribbons.
transf. and fig.1601Shakes. All's Well ii. i. 30, I shal stay here the for-horse to a smocke. 1645E. Pagitt Heresiogr. (1661) 177 [He useth this passage] as the fore-horse or leading Authority, to bring in whatsoever Calumnies he pleaseth afterward. 1816T. Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 290 The fore-horse of this frightful team is public debt.
attrib.1480Wardr. Acc. Edw. IV (1830) 123 A forehors bridelle. 1636Sampson Vow-breaker v. i. I iij, Have I not borrow'd the fore Horse-bells his Plumes, and braveries? |