FORESTALLER Meaning and
Definition
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A forestaller is an individual, usually a merchant, who engages in the practice of forestalling. Forestalling is an economic term that refers to the act of buying goods or commodities, such as food, in advance of their regular sale, with the intention of reselling them later at higher prices for personal profit. The forestaller seeks to gain an advantage by monopolizing or controlling the supply of certain goods, thereby creating an artificial scarcity that drives up prices.
The term forestaller dates back to medieval times, when it was used to describe individuals who would intercept goods on their way to a market or fair. By purchasing the goods before they reached their intended destination, the forestaller could manipulate prices and secure a higher profit. This practice was considered unfair and detrimental to the overall functioning of the market economy, as it exploited consumers and disrupted the natural supply and demand dynamics.
Today, the term forestaller is less commonly used, as anti-trust regulations and fair trade practices are in place to prevent such exploitative behavior. However, the concept and the negative connotations associated with it still endure, serving as a reminder of the importance of fair competition and the need to protect consumers from unfair trade practices.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for FORESTALLER
- dorestaller
- corestaller
- vorestaller
- gorestaller
- torestaller
- rorestaller
- firestaller
- fkrestaller
- flrestaller
- fprestaller
- f0restaller
- f9restaller
- foeestaller
- fodestaller
- fofestaller
- fotestaller
- fo5estaller
- fo4estaller
- forwstaller
Etymology of FORESTALLER
The word "forestaller" derives from Middle English, specifically from the combination of the words "forstall" and the suffix "-er".
The term "forstall" originates from the Old English word "foresteallan", which can be broken down into "fore-" (meaning "before" or "in front") and "steallan" (meaning "to block" or "enclose"). This verb referred to the act of obstructing or impeding someone or something's progress by physical or metaphorical barriers.
The "-er" suffix is derived from Old English and was commonly added to verbs to form agent nouns. In this context, it indicates the individual who carries out or is responsible for the action expressed by the verb.
Therefore, a "forestaller" can be understood etymologically as one who engages in the action of "forstalling" or obstructing someone or something's progress.
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