† forefightn.
Obsolete.
a. The foremost defence or bulwark (see fight n. 5b).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > earthwork or rampart > [noun] > outwork
forewallOE
barrace1380
before-wallinga1382
vaumurec1475
faussebraie1490
forework1497
vauntmure1562
counterguard1591
forefence1609
forefight?1611
outworkc1615
crownwork1638
false braye1645
crowned work1677
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xii. 274 The Greeks..repair'd the forefights of their wall With hides of oxen.
b. The front rank (of an army).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > part of army by position > [noun] > van or front
forerunnerseOE
vantward1297
formerward13..
forme-ward13..
vamward1338
fronta1375
pointa1382
frontier?a1400
vawarda1400
forayc1425
avantwardc1440
avant-garde1470
vanward1476
vantguard1485
vanguard1487
foreward1490
forefront1513
foremen1577
forefight?1611
vaunta1616
van1633
first line1663
front line1677
firing line1859
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xv. 277 These were they, that bravely furnish'd then The fierce forefight.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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n.?1611