Foregate

/ˈfɔːrɡeɪt/ noun

Definition

A gate positioned at the front or entrance of a fortification, castle, or building; a front entrance or outer gate.

Etymology

Compound of 'fore-' (front) and 'gate' (an entrance). Developed in medieval architecture and military fortification to describe the outermost defensive gate.

Kelly Says

Medieval castles had multiple gates as defensive layers—the 'foregate' was the first test of invaders, often a heavily fortified bottleneck designed to slow or trap attackers before they reached the inner courts.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.