fore-and-aft

[ fawr-uhnd-aft, -ahft, fohr- ]

adjective

1. located along or parallel to a line from the stem to the stern.

adverb

1. fore ¹( def 10 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of fore-and-aft¹

First recorded in 1610–20

Idioms and Phrases

Both front and back, everywhere, as in The children clung to the teacher fore and aft . This expression is nautical terminology for the bow, or front, and the stern, or back, of a vessel. Today it is also used more broadly. [First half of 1600s]

Example Sentences

About two dozen or more yachts make use of it, among them being steamers and vessels of every method of fore-and-aft rig.

From Project Gutenberg

She is a fore-and-aft schooner of one hundred and ten tons, said to have been built at Baltimore.

From Project Gutenberg

He is not like a new hand altogether, having already had two years' experience in a fore-and-aft craft.

From Project Gutenberg

Jib-topsail: A triangular sail set on the fore-topmast stay of fore-and-aft vessels.

From Project Gutenberg

Jack-yard: A small yard used to extend the foot of a fore-and-aft balloon topsail that extends beyond the end of the gaff.

From Project Gutenberg