Middle English Dictionary Entry
fōr(e-castel n.
Entry Info
| Forms | fōr(e-castel n. |
| Etymology | AF; cp. castel. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A raised structure, resembling a tower, at the bow of a ship, esp. of a fighting ship; ship of ~, man-of-war.
Associated quotations
- [ (1338) Doc.in Nicolas Navy 2475 : Un davyot pur le forechasteil. ]
- [ (1338) Doc.in Nicolas Navy 2476 : Un powpe ove le fforechastiell pour les ministraux. ]
- (1407) *Acc.Exch.K.R.44/11(1).m.2 dorso [OD col.] : J Poupe j Forcastelle pro Minstrellis.
- (1443) Let.Bekynton in RS 56.2237 : Wittenesses there stonding togider in the forecastell of the ship of the seid admiral.
- (1443) Proc.Privy C.5.302 : Iiij gret barges with forcastelx.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)118b : Also in grete galeyes and oþre grete schippes of werre þei haueþ for castel and hynder castelle & top castel & castelle at þe mydde mast, out of þe whiche wiþ cast & schot þei woundeþ & sleeþ hem þat ben bynethe.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)5657 : The forcastels full of fuerse men of armys, With shot & with shildis shalkes to noy.
- (1458) Paston (Gairdner)3.130 : Ther were xxviijte sayle of Spaynyards on the se, and wherof ther was xvj grete schippis of forecastell.