pl. -women. [f. FORE- pref. + WOMAN.] A woman who acts as chief of other women: a. in a jury of matrons; b. in a shop or department.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 84, 20 Oct., ¶ 1. There is the learned Androgyne, that would make a good Fore-woman of the Pannel, who (by long Attendance) understands as much Law and Anatomy as is necessary in this Case.
1752. J. Louthian, Form of Process (ed. 2), 216. If the Forewoman shall say, She is with quick Child;—then the Clerk adds to the Entry, over the Prisoner’s Name upon the Indictment,… dicunt quod est pregnans.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., x. Miss Knag the forewoman shall have directions to try you with some easy work at first.
1865. Mrs. Palliser, Lace, vii. 118. When, in 1684, a census was made by order of Louis XIV., there were only three forewomen and sixty-three lace-makers. In 1850, there were from 20,000 to 22,000 in Ypres and its environs alone.
