forehammer

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle English forehamer, forhamer, equivalent to fore- +‎ hammer. Compare Dutch voorhamer (sledgehammer), German Low German Vörhamer (sledgehammer), Danish forhammer (sledgehammer).

Noun

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forehammer (plural forehammers)

  1. A sledge or sledgehammer; the large hammer which strikes first, or before the smaller one.
    • 1939, John Brunton's Book:
      The blacksmith I was put under was a kind good fellow and soon put me in the way of striking with the forehammer which was at first very tiring []