† ˈfore-stroke Obs.
[f. fore- prefix.]
A forward stroke (in bell-ringing and in sword-play).
| 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 96 If the forestroke give us but a little tick, the backstroke will be sure to give him a knocker. 1684 R. H. School Recreat. 86 So must they successively strike one after another, both Forestroke and Backstroke, in a due Musical Time. 1688 Bunyan Jerus. Sinner Saved (1886) 64 God's word hath two edges; it can cut back-stroke and fore-stroke. 1779 Forrest Voy. N. Guinea 237 He..draws his sword, with which, fore stroke and back stroke, he cleaves the air. |
| attrib. 1726 Amherst Terræ Fil. xiv. 72 'Tis such fore-stroke and back-stroke play. |