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 An instrument formerly used at sea for taking the altitudes of heavenly bodies, now superseded by the sextant; -- called also cross-staff.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 ]

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 ]