Middle English Dictionary Entry
ferther adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | ferther adj. Also ferder, farther. |
| Etymology | OE furþra, with vowel of ME ferre(r farther. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. further adj.
1.
(a) Farther, more remote (in space); ~ side or parti, far side, opposite side; (b) forward (in space), front; ~ parti, front part, forepart.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pri.(Manly-Rickert)B.1686 : A litel scole of cristen folk ther stood Doun at the ferther ende.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.2226 : In that gardyn in the ferther syde..This kyng of fairye thanne a doun hym sette Vpon a bench.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)166b/a : De monte Libani..His ferther partie toward the eeste hatte Aurilibanus [i.e. Antilibanus].
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)111/6 : They arrived aganes the farthre side of the toune.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)283/32 : He lepe on the farther syde of his horse froward the knyght.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)301/30 : Ther was a grete ryver..and there were redy two knyghtes on the farther syde.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)39a/a : He setteþ þe yȝen in þe ferþer & ouer parties of þe beest.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)297a/b : Þe ferþer partye of þe tonge [of a frog] ioyneþ to his mouþe.
2.
(a) Going beyond, additional, further; (b) more prompt or eager.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.15.23 : Now I not hauynge ferthere [L ulterius] place in thes cuntrees, sothli hauynge couetyse of comynge to ȝou.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)118/11 : Þis ferþir and larger signifiyng schulde rise to vs bi vertu of þe wordis writen in moyses tablis.
b
- c1450(c1353) Winner & W.(Add 31042)287 : Iche freke one felde ogh þe ferdere be to wirche.