Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FORE-FACE, n. The iron framework forming the front of an old-fashioned fire-place, set between two stones with the ash-pit underneath (Fif. 1916 T.S.D.C. II.); now sometimes applied to the movable shelf in front of the fire-bars of a range (Fif.¹⁷ 1950).Fif. 1895 S.Tytler Kincaid's Widow xvii.:
The snowy “cheeks” of its iron “fore-face,” behind which a cheerful fire glowed and danced.Fif. 1897 S. Tytler Witch-Wife iv.:
A glowing peat fire was burning behind the iron fore-face, and between the white “cheeks” or jambs.Fif. 1897 S. Tytler Lady Jean's Son viii.:
The iron fore-face with the whitewashed "cheeks" or jambs-represented a grate and held a peat fire.