forestage
|fore-stage|
🇺🇸
/ˈfɔɹsteɪdʒ/
🇬🇧
/ˈfɔːsteɪdʒ/
front or earlier stage
Etymology
'forestage' originates from the Old English prefix 'fore-' (meaning 'before') combined with 'stage' (from Old French 'estage'), where 'fore-' meant 'before' and 'stage' meant 'a standing place or platform'.
'forestage' developed in Modern English by combining the prefix 'fore-' (Old English 'fore') with Middle English/Old French 'stage' (from Old French 'estage'); the components came together to form the compound 'forestage' used for the front part of a stage.
Initially it referred specifically to the physical front part of a stage ('the part before the main stage'), and over time it also acquired a figurative meaning of an 'earlier or preliminary stage' in a process.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the part of a theatre stage that projects forward of the proscenium or main playing area (the apron); the front area of the stage nearest the audience.
The actor walked out onto the forestage to deliver his final monologue.
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Noun 2
a preliminary or earlier stage in a process; an initial phase that comes before the main stage of development or performance.
The idea remained in the forestage of development for several months before we committed resources.
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Last updated: 2025/12/28 04:04