sb. Obs. [f. FORE- pref. + FENCE sb.] A first or front defence; a bulwark.
1609. Holland, Amm. Marcell., XIV. ii. 4. Within their thicke growne Fastnesses and Fore-fences, after the manner of those that lye in ambush for such as passe by, they maintained and enriched themselves with the goods as well of the provinciall inhabitants as the way-faring folke. Ibid. (1610), Camden’s Brit., I. 755. The Iland Walney as a fore-fence or countremure lying along by it, with a small arme of the sea betweene.
1677. Plot, Oxforsh., 320. Or if ancienter than Offa, it might perhaps be a prætentura, or fore-fence of the Romans, raised against the Britans (or vice versa) who might possibly be possest of the Port way before.
Hence Forefence v. trans., to serve as an outer defence or bulwark to.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 627. On the East side the mountaines of Talgar and Ewias doe as it were forefense it.
