fore edge

American

noun

the front outer edge of a book, opposite the bound edge.

fore-edge British

noun

the outer edge of the pages of a book

"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 edge

First recorded in 1655–65

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.

The cut fore edge, opposite the spine, is silky smooth.

From Slate • Nov. 19, 2020

Sometimes the exposed pages, known as the fore edge, had text or embellishments, including extravagantly painted scenes from the book.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2018

I ran my thumb along its fore edge, narrow and sharp against my skin.

From The Guardian • Jan. 4, 2011

If the back of the book seems to be much thicker than the fore edge, pound down with a backing-hammer.

From Library Bookbinding by Bailey, Arthur Low

Trimming of either back margin or fore edge is inadvisable.

From Library Bookbinding by Bailey, Arthur Low

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023