fore-and-aft

[ fawr-uhnd-aft, -ahft, fohr- ]

adjective

1. located along or parallel to a line from the stem to the stern.

adverb

1. fore ¹( def 10 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of fore-and-aft¹

First recorded in 1610–20

Idioms and Phrases

Both front and back, everywhere, as in The children clung to the teacher fore and aft . This expression is nautical terminology for the bow, or front, and the stern, or back, of a vessel. Today it is also used more broadly. [First half of 1600s]

Example Sentences

The little ship, like most traders of the Inmost Sea, bore the high fore-and-aft sail that can be turned to catch a headwind, and her master was a handy seaman, proud of his skill.

From Literature

A cargo bike with sturdy fore-and-aft racks held cardboard boxes marked “Corey office” and “2 glass lanterns,” as well as a small bookcase.

From Washington Times

The third stage vibrated quite a bit, not from side to side but with a choppy fore-and-aft motion which was felt as almost a buzz.

From Literature

It opened into a saloon 20 feet by 7 feet, which in turn communicated with a fore-and-aft alley-way extending almost the extreme length of the fuselage.

From Project Gutenberg

Since then opportunities for fore-and-aft sailing had been few and far between.

From Project Gutenberg