fore-and-aft \| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷\adjective Etymology:fore and aft 1.: lying, running, or acting in the general line of the length of a ship or other construction (as a house or an airplane) : longitudinal < a fore-and-aft shot > — see fore-and-aft sail 2.of a sailing ship: having no square sails — see fore-and-aft rig, schooner, sloop 3.of a hat or capitalized: having peaks in front and back