fornent, fornenst, adv. and prep. Sc. and north.
(fɔːˈnɛnt, fɔːˈnɛnst)
Forms: 6 foir-, for-, fore-anempst, -ane(i)nst, -(a)nent(s, -nence, -nens(t, -nentis, 9 foore-, for(e)-(a)nen(s)t, 6– fornent.
[f. fore adv. + anent.]
1. Right opposite to, over against; facing.
| 1524 St. Papers Hen. VIII, VI. 236 For defence of his Borders foranempst Scotland. 1582–8 Hist. James VI, (1804) 204 In the straitt passage foirnent the goldsmyths shopp. 1649 Bp. Guthrie Mem. (1702) 64 The Earl of Athol..Encamp'd fornent him. 1807 J. Stagg Poems 61 Reeght for nenst them up they gat. 1864 Glasgow Herald 11 June, My house is right fornent the tank. |
† 2. a. (Ready) against. b. With regard to.
| 1533 Bellenden Livy (1822) 15 Reddy fornence all aventuris that micht occur. 1709 Rob. III's Answ. in Watson's Collect. ii. p. iv, But we will do you understand What we declare fornent Scotland. |
† 3. quasi-adv. Opposite. Obs.
| 1548 Thomas Ital. Gram. & Dict. (1567), Dirimpetto, foranenst. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. (1888) I. 35 The bray foranent vpon Laudian syde. |