forepole

[ noun fawr-pohl, fohr-; verb fawr-pohl, fohr- ]
/ noun ˈfɔrˌpoʊl, ˈfoʊr-; verb fɔrˈpoʊl, foʊr- /
Mining.

noun

Also called spile, spill. any of a number of boards or timbers driven forward on top of a set to protect miners lengthening a tunnel from falling debris.

verb (used with object), fore·poled, fore·pol·ing.

to reinforce (the end of an excavated tunnel) with forepoles.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of forepole

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; fore- + pole1

Words nearby forepole

forepaw, forepeak, foreperson, foreplay, forepleasure, forepole, forequarter, forequarters, forereach, forerun, forerunner
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020