[f. FORE- pref. + TASTE sb.] A taste beforehand; an anticipation, partial enjoyment in advance.
1435. Misyn, Fire of Love, II. vii. 86. It is trowde of euerlastynge swetnes a fortaste.
c. 1450. trans. De Imitatione, III. vii. It is an effecteof grace, & a maner of fortaste of þe heuenly cuntre, upon whom it is not to leene ouermuche, for it goþ and comeþ.
1604. Bilson, Survey, Table, s.v. Hell, The foretast of iudgement in Hell, is neither full, finall, perpetuall, nor generall.
a. 1716. South, Serm., Wks. 1737, I. 37. A Pleasure that a Man may call as properly his own, as his Soul and his Conscience; neither liable to Accident, nor exposed to Injury. It is the fore-taste of Heaven, and the Earnest of Eternity.
1838. Thirlwall, Greece, III. xix. 123. This foretaste of the evils of war did not damp the general ardour, especially that of the youthful spirits, which began at Athens, as elsewhere, to be impatient of repose.
1880. Dixon, Windsor, III. xxv. 248. In proud and noble anger she rode onward, and the monster who had cursed and burnt so many martyrs trembled with a foretaste of the stake.
