ˈfore-horse
[f. fore- prefix + horse.]
The foremost horse in a team, ‘leader’.
| 1483 Fun. Edw. IV, in Lett. & Pap. Rich. III (Rolls) I. 7 Upon the fore horse, and the thil horse sat ij chariot men. 1592 Greene Upst. Courtier in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) II. 218 They wore beesoms of thrift in their hats like fore-horses. a 1670 Hacket Abp. Williams i. (1692) 28 None of his fellows had cause to repent that he rode upon the fore⁓horse. 1718 Freethinker No. 144 ¶8 The Nobleman is but the Fore-Horse in the Team. 1824 Miss Mitford Village Ser. i. (1863) 199 The fore-horse decked with ribbons. |
| transf. and fig. 1601 Shakes. All's Well ii. i. 30, I shal stay here the for-horse to a smocke. 1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. (1661) 177 [He useth this passage] as the fore-horse or leading Authority, to bring in whatsoever Calumnies he pleaseth afterward. 1816 T. Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 290 The fore-horse of this frightful team is public debt. |
| attrib. 1480 Wardr. Acc. Edw. IV (1830) 123 A forehors bridelle. 1636 Sampson Vow-breaker v. i. I iij, Have I not borrow'd the fore Horse-bells his Plumes, and braveries? |