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fore-and-after

American  
[fawr-uhnd-af-ter, ahf-, fohr-] / ˈfɔr əndˈæf tər, ˈɑf-, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

  1. Nautical.

    1. a sailing vessel with a fore-and-aft rig.

    2. a beam running fore and aft across a hatchway to support hatch covers laid athwart the hatchway.

    3. a vessel having a sharp stern; a double ender.

  2. deerstalker.


fore-and-after British  

noun

  1. any vessel with a fore-and-aft rig

  2. a double-ended vessel

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fore-and-after

First recorded in 1815–25; fore-and-aft + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Indeed, I believe that only the first mate and the doctor had ever before handled a fore-and-after.

From Project Gutenberg

The black proved a fore-and-after—pawed out ladylike blows with slender forefeet, then lofted his heels in a way that jarred the human aboard him more than the wary target.

From Project Gutenberg

"Well, she was a fore-and-after and had figures painted on her sails to make us believe that she was a pilot boat," answered Jack, somewhat surprised at his brother's earnestness.

From Project Gutenberg

It caught the sails of the new fore-and-after, and the little craft fell over on another tack and shot away.

From Project Gutenberg

“Small fore-and-after, sir, with sails down and sweeps out, close under the land.”

From Project Gutenberg