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Rear vs Fore - What's the difference?

rear | fore |

As verbs the difference between rear and fore

is that rear is to raise physically; to lift up; to cause to rise, to elevate while fore is simple past of fare.

As adjectives the difference between rear and fore

is that rear is underdone; nearly raw while fore is former; occurring earlier (in some order); previous.

As adverbs the difference between rear and fore

is that rear is early; soon while fore is in the part that precedes or goes first; opposed to aft, after, back, behind, etc.

As nouns the difference between rear and fore

is that rear is the back or hindmost part; that which is behind, or last on order; - opposed to front while fore is the front; the forward part of something; the foreground.

As an interjection fore is

an exclamation yelled to inform players a ball is moving in their direction.

As a proper noun Fore is

a people of Papua New Guinea.

rear

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) reren, from (etyl) . More at (l).

Alternative forms

* (l), (l), (l)

Verb

(en verb)
  • To raise physically; to lift up; to cause to rise, to elevate.
  • * (rfdate)
  • In adoration at his feet I fell Submiss; he reared me.
  • * (rfdate)
  • Mine [shall be] the first hand to rear her banner.
  • To construct by building; to set up
  • to rear defenses or houses
    to rear one government on the ruins of another.
  • * (rfdate)
  • One reared a font of stone.
  • To raise spiritually; to lift up; to elevate morally.
  • * (rfdate)
  • It reareth our hearts from vain thoughts.
  • (obsolete) To lift and take up.
  • * (rfdate)
  • And having her from Trompart lightly reared , Upon his set the lovely load.
  • To bring up to maturity, as offspring; to educate; to instruct; to foster.
  • * (rfdate)
  • He wants a father to protect his youth, and rear him up to virtue.
  • To breed and raise; as, to rear cattle (cattle-rearing).
  • (obsolete) To rouse; to strip up.
  • * (rfdate),
  • And seeks the tusky boar to rear.
  • To rise up on the hind legs, as a bolting horse.
  • Usage notes
    See note under raise.
    Synonyms
    * (rise up on the hind legs) prance * build * elevate * erect * establish * lift * raise
    Derived terms
    * raring

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) reren, from (etyl) .

    Alternative forms

    * (l), (l)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To move; stir.
  • (of geese) To carve.
  • Rere that goose!

    Etymology 3

    From (etyl) rere, from (etyl) .

    Alternative forms

    * (l), (l) * (l) (US)

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • (of eggs) Underdone; nearly raw.
  • (of meats) Rare.
  • Derived terms
    * (l) * (l)

    Etymology 4

    (etyl) rere, ultimately from (etyl) retro. Compare arrear.

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Being behind, or in the hindmost part; hindmost; as, the rear rank of a company.
  • Antonyms
    * front

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • (British, dialect) early; soon
  • * (rfdate) .
  • Then why does Cuddy leave his cot so rear !

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The back or hindmost part; that which is behind, or last on order; - opposed to front.
  • * (rfdate)
  • Nipped with the lagging rear of winter's frost.
  • (military) Specifically, the part of an army or fleet which comes last, or is stationed behind the rest.
  • * (rfdate) Milton
  • When the fierce foe hung on our broken rear.
  • (anatomy) The buttocks, a creature's bottom
  • Synonyms
    * (buttocks) rear end

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To place in the rear; to secure the rear of.
  • (transitive, vulgar, British) To sodomize (perform anal sex)
  • Derived terms
    * rear admiral * rear echelon * rear end * rear front - (military), the rear rank of a body of troops when faced about and standing in that position. * rear guard * rearhorse * rear line - (military), the line in the rear of an army. * rearmost * rearmouse * rear rank - (military), the rank or line of a body of troops which is in the rear, or last in order. * rear sight - (firearms ), the sight nearest the breech. * rearward * bring up the rear - to come last or behind. * rearing bit - a bit designed to prevent a horse from lifting his head when rearing.

    Anagrams

    * ----

    fore

    English

    Etymology 1

    A development of the prefix .

    Adjective

  • (obsolete) Former; occurring earlier (in some order); previous.
  • the fore part of the day
  • Forward; situated towards the front (of something).
  • the fore end of a wagon
  • * 1969 , Vladimir Nabokov, Ada or Ardor , Penguin 2011, p. 23:
  • Crystal vases with crimson roses and golden-brown asters were set here and there in the fore part of the shop [...].
    Antonyms
    * (order) latter * (location) aft

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • (golf) An exclamation yelled to inform players a ball is moving in their direction.
  • Noun

    (-)
  • The front; the forward part of something; the foreground.
  • The fore was painted white.
  • * 2002 , Mark Bevir, The Logic of the History of Ideas :
  • People face a dilemma whenever they bring to the fore an understanding that appears inadequate in the light of the other beliefs they bring to bear on it.

    Adverb

    (-)
  • In the part that precedes or goes first; opposed to aft, after, back, behind, etc.
  • (obsolete) Formerly; previously; afore.
  • * Shakespeare
  • The eyes, fore duteous, now converted are.
  • (nautical) In or towards the bows of a ship.
  • Etymology 2

    *

    Verb

    (head)
  • (fare)