foretop

[fawr-top, fohr-; for 1 also Nautical fawr-tuh p, fohr-]

noun

a platform at the head of a fore lower mast of a ship.

the forelock of an animal, especially a horse.

Nearby words

Origin of foretop

First recorded in 1250–1300, foretop is from the Middle English word fortop. See fore-, top¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for foretop

The shot flew over Captain Spratt's head, who was at the foretop, and plunged into the water 200 or 300 yards beyond us.
The British Expedition to the Crimea|William Howard Russell
I said; "you are no longer captain of the foretop, you are disrated on the ship's books."
The Lieutenant and Commander|Basil Hall
“All ready for letting fall, sir,” the middy stationed in the foretop was the first to sing out.
Crown and Anchor|John Conroy Hutcheson
Dock its foretop, do a little doctorin', an' how you goin' to prove it?
Rimrock Trail|J. Allan Dunn

His foretop was "banged," and he had the air of a mischievous, resolute boy.
The Trail of the Goldseekers|Hamlin Garland

British Dictionary definitions for foretop

foretop

noun

nautical a platform at the top of the foremast

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