forge¹ (fôrj, fōrj)
n.

1. A furnace or hearth where metals are heated or wrought; a smithy.
2. A workshop where pig iron is transformed into wrought iron.

v., forged, forg·ing, forg·es.

v.tr.

1. 1. To form (metal, for example) by heating in a forge and beating or hammering into shape.
   2. To form (metal) by a mechanical or hydraulic press.
2. To give form or shape to, especially by means of careful effort: forge a treaty; forge a close relationship.
3. To fashion or reproduce for fraudulent purposes; counterfeit: forge a signature.

v.intr.

1. To work at a forge or smithy.
2. To make a forgery or counterfeit.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *faurga, from Latin fabrica, from faber, worker.]

forgeability forge'a·bil'i·ty n.
forgeable forge'a·ble adj.
forger forg'er n.

forge² (fôrj, fōrj)
intr.v., forged, forg·ing, forg·es.

1. To advance gradually but steadily: forged ahead through throngs of shoppers.
2. To advance with an abrupt increase of speed: forged into first place with seconds to go.

[Probably from FORGE¹.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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