[f. FORE- pref. + 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, or the lusty gallants in a morice-dance.
a. 1670. Hacket, Abp. Williams, I. (1692), 28. None of his Fellows had cause to repent, that he rode upon the Fore-Horse.
1719. Free-Thinker, No. 144, 7 Aug., ¶ 8. All are Slaves alike; and the Nobleman is but the Fore-Horse in the Team.
1814. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. I. (1863), 199–200. The fore-horse decked with ribbons and flowers like a countess on the birth-day.
transf. and fig. 1601. Shaks., All’s Well that ends Well, II. i. 30. Rossill. I shal stay here the for-horse to a smocke.
1645. 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. Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression.
attrib. 1480. Wardr. Acc. Edw. IV. (1830), 123. A forehors bridelle.
1636. Sampson, Vow-breaker, V. i. I iij. Mi. I am an asse if I doe not; have I borrow’d the fore Horse-bells his Plumes, and braveries, nay had his mane new shorne, and frizl’d, and shall the Major put me besides the hobby-Horse?
