forehand (for hand)

[ The part of a horse which is in front of the rider.-21. The chief part; main dependence. The great Achilles, whom opinion crowns The sinew and the forehand of our host. Shak., T. and C., 1. 3. 3t. Advantage; the better. Such a wretch, Winding up days with toil and nights with sleep, Hath the fore - hand and vantage of a king. Shak., Hen. V., iv. 1. forehand (för hand), a. 11. Done beforehand; anticipative; done or paid in advance. If I have known her, You'll say, she did embrace me as a husband, And so extenuate the forehand sin. Shak., Much Ado, iv. 1. 2. Being ahead or in advance; front. [Scotch.] I'm as honest as our auld forehand ox, puir fallow. Scott, Old Mortality, vii. forehanded (för handed), a. 1. Early; timely; seasonable: as, forehanded provision.