[f. FORE- pref. + GATE.]
1. The front gate or principal entrance.
1503. in Lib. Cart. S. Crucis (1840), p. lvii. Item, for vij punschionis of plaister to the turatis of the foryet … iiij lib. xviij s.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., II. 81. A castle also thereto, and a foregate at the entrance into it.
1726. Leoni, Alberti’s Archit., I. 101/1. Strangers and Guests should be lodged in Chambers near the Vestibule or Fore-gate; that they may have full Freedom both in their own Actions, and in receiving Visits from their Friends, without disturbing the Rest of the Family.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., II. 430. There was, in future, to be but one entrance only, by the great foregate; and this was to be diligently watched by a porter.
transf. and fig. 1613. J. Davies, Muse’s Teares, E ij b.
| Beare vp the Crosse; and, euer looke vpon’t | |
| As on the only Key of Heau’n’s fore-gate. |
1692. G. Stradling, Serm. & Disc., 381. They [the Jesuits] were, with shame enough to themselves, turned out of the Foregates of those States, but, to the wonder even of the Loyaller Romanists, received in again at their postern ones.
Prov.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett., I. V. xxi. When distrust enters in at the foregate, love goes out at the Postern.
1686. W. de Britaine, Hum. Prud., vii. 31. When Passion enters in at the Fore-gate, Wisdom goes out at the Postern.
2. Sc. ‘The high or open street’ (Jam.).
1560. in Burgh Rec. Aberdeen (1844), 327. Diuerse personis hes biggit and dalie biggis choppis wnder stairis vpoune the forgettis.
1567. Sc. Acts Jas. VI. (1814), 43. The samyn tobe sauld and toppit be honest personis in þe foirgait in oppin and publict tavernis.
a. 1583. Chalm. Air, in Balfour’s Practicks (1754), 588. Gif thair be ony swine cruivis biggit on the fore-gait, stoppand the samin.
