Middle English Dictionary Entry
for conj.
Entry Info
| Forms | for conj. Also vor, fer. |
| Etymology | From prep. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) In a clause which states the reason or cause of something: for the reason that, because; (b) introductory (in answer to question): because; (c) but ~, except that.
Associated quotations
a
- 1123 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1123 : Ac hit naht ne beheld, for se biscop of Særes byrig wæs strang.
- ?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)19/28 : Þann Grecces nemneþ suke molides, þæt we hæteð grindig teþ, fore hy grindeþ æl þæt man byȝleofaþ.
- ?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1137 : Þa was corn dære..& butere, for nan ne wæs o þe land.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)ded.55 : Eȝȝwhær þær þu shallt findenn hemm..Forr whase mot to læwedd follc Larspell..tellenn, He mot wel ekenn maniȝ word.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)17289 : Græiðien ure wepnen, fer wel heo us bihoueð.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)8/12 : Þe knihtes, for ha spec þus, charden euchan aȝein.
- a1250 Cristes milde moder (Nero A.14)39 : Þer ne mei non ualuwen, uor þer is eche sumer.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)309 : Nou ich wot mid iwisse þat ich ssal ben islawe--For nabbi none blisse of mi lifdawe.
- a1300 Leuedi sainte (Add 27909)2 : Þu wisie me nuþe, for ich eom eirede.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1027 : It hire ðogte a selli ðhing, for ghe was nigenti winter hold.
- c1330 Otuel (Auch)143 : A kinges messager for he is, He ne schal habbe non harm.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)190 : He him het þet he his ssolde yeue to þe poure, uor god hedde ynoȝ of guode.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1484 : For he schold lese his lemman, his liif þan he hated.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)2213 : A message ous sente Charlis kyng..& for we told it noȝt at is lekyng, he pot ous her in holde.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Tim.1.16 : The Lord ȝyue mercy to the hous of Onozepherus, for [L quia] ofte he refreischide me.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.203 : Marcus Porcius Cato..was icleped Utisencis, ffor [L quia; Higd.(2): for cause] he slowȝ hym self at a citee þat hatte Utica.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.4225 : She gropeth alwey..And nyste wher she was, for it was derk.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.975 : For his complexioun Is mad upon divisioun Of cold, of hot, of moist, of drye, He mot be verray kynde dye.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)16.227 : Yf myghte of miracle hym faile, hit is for men beeþ nat worthi.
- (1402) MSS PRO in App.Bk.Lond.E.282 : And for I preȝede for hym, he seide I were worthi for to a been hangen.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)prol.280 : His galle is hidde..And al for he with Grekis was allied.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Gen.16.11 : Thou schalt clepe his name Ismael, for [WB(1): ther thurȝ that] the Lord hath herd thi turment.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)109/35 : And for because þat he was so wel with god, þerfore þei worschipe him.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)1075 : And for he was a straunger, somwhat she Likede hym the bet.
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)782 : The Rede Knyghte for þou has slayne, I sall vnarme hym agayne.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)845 : Þis twa childre þai dispyse And had enuy, for þai had grace.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)138 : Hir principal cause [of seeking a divorce] was, as is seid, for sche desired gretly to be wyf to the Duke of Normandy.
- (1471) Paston (Gairdner)5.122 : Sche byd that yt schuld be woond in a canivasse for brochyng of the caryars, for sche sethe that sche hath knowyn men served soo befor.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)50/225 : For to my spech þou dedyst obeye, thyn enmyes portys þu shalt possede.
- a1500(?c1440) Lydg.HGS (Lnsd 699)238 : And for he sett of me that day no fors, Ful litel or nouht availed hym his Hors.
b
- c1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)2/2 : [Hwui noldest beþenchen] þu me þeo hwule þet ic wunede inne þe? For þu were leas ond lutiȝ.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)14/20 : 'Sire,' saide Ector, 'for God wille have hit soo.'
c
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)prol.3/18 : Who schewed þe þat þou were naked, bote for þou ete of þe tre þat y forbedde þe.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)335/329 : I had no knawlege it was he, Bot for he brake this brede in thre And delt it here to the and me.
2.
In a clause which amplifies or explains another clause by giving an example, citing an authority, making a comparison, restating in different terms, etc.: inasmuch as, since, so that, seeing that, as, that.
Associated quotations
- a1150(c1125) Vsp.D.Hom.Fest.Virg.(Vsp D.14)24/85 : Þæt geat þær he inn-com, þæt is hire geleafe. For þurh þæt þæt heo þæs ængles worden gelefde, hit wearð full-fremod on hire þæt þæt se ængel hire sæde.
- ?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1137 : Hi hadden him manred maked & athes suoren, ac hi..wæron forsworen & here treothes forloren, for æuric rice man his castle makede & agænes him heolden.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)119 : & teȝȝ wærenn..Rihhtwise menn & gode, Forr eȝȝþerr here ȝede swa Rihht affterr Godess lare.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.DD (Lamb 487)45 : Sicut dicitur pax in terra, pax in celo..for swa is iset grið on eorðe and grið on hefene.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3112 : Þat maide wes swðen swomefest, for [Otho: and] hire fader heo scunede.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)125 : If he cloðed man se, cof he waxeð, For, up he rigteð him redi to deren.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)1528 : Make we vs glade Eure among, For þus him endeþ hornes song.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)358 : Quat same is me bi-tid, for ic am naked and haue me hid.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)114 : He þet zayþ his pater noster and heþ in his herte hate..bit more aye him zelue þanne uor himzelue, vor he bit god þet he ne uoryeue him naȝt huanne he zayþ 'uoryef me ase ich uoryeue.'
- c1350 NPass.(Rwl C.655)127/61* : Ȝif þow be godes sone, adon liȝt Off þe pynakul þorþ þy miȝt, Vor ofte it is ywryte [etc.].
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2461 : Þat barn þe best adoun sette, wiþoute eny maner wem þe worse it to greue, for non schold in þat barnes bodi o brusure finde.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))John 5.42 : I haue knowen ȝou, for [L quia; WB(2): that] ȝe han not the loue of God in ȝou.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.2.4 : Vnknowest thou, for [L quoniam; WB(2): that] the benygnyte or good wille of God ledith thee to penaunce?
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)6.86 : Grace hette þe ȝateward, A good mon forsoþe; His Mon hette aMende-þou, for mony men him knoweþ.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)35 : Hyȝ not to heven in haterez totorne..For what urþly haþel..Wolde lyke if a ladde com lyþerly attyred.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.11 : Þei leden not þer witt after Goddis lawe, for þei presumen as þe fende to kunne þat þei knowen not.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)6870 : Þe synful sal evermare on þam luke, For þus we fynde wryten in boke: In inferno videbunt eos [etc.].
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2012 : The hous is krynkeled to and fro, And hath so queynte weyes for to go--For it is shapen as the mase is wrought.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)219 : The conquerour..on his deesse ryche, Fore he was demyde þe doughtyeste þat duellyde in erthe.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)211 : It is lijk þat þou fulfilledist alle oþere poyntis of þe same lawe as it was longyng to þee to fulfille, for so sowneþ scripture.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)4/17 : Clothed he his seruauntes so worthely as ye bee?--for by your clothes..ye semen to be grete lordes sonnes.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)160/31 : Ye teche me curtesy, for hit is nat commendable one knyght to be on horsebak and the other on foote.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)112 : It semiþ þat þei put wrong un to God, or to þe peple, or to boþe; ffor þus is seid in Goddis lawe.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)30/231 : Thou can both byte and whyne with a rerd; ffor all if she stryke, yit fast will she skryke.
3.
In a clause which indicates the aim or goal of an action: in order that, so that.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.Kath.(LdMisc 108)172 : No man hire mete ne ȝaf ne drunch..For heo scholde to heore lawe hire þouȝ[t] tuyrne.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)114 : Neddre..Nimeð vnneðes ðurg, for his fel he ðer leteð.
- c1300 SLeg.Kath.(Hrl 2277)171 : Noman ne ȝaf hire mete ne drinke, for heo scholde..deye Oþer turne hire þoȝt to here lawe.
- c1330(?c1300) Amis (Auch)876 : Amis schuld ben in prisoun, For [Suth: þat] he no schuld nowhar flen.
- c1330 Otuel (Auch)394 : Þei wenten a non to here masse, For here sinnen sscholde be þe lasse.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)746 : He wrapped him þerinne, For no man þat he met his mornyng schuld knowe.
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3905 : His mantel ouer his hipes caste he, For no man sholde seen his pryuetee.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)907 : Þay han ytake a clout..& byndeþ þerwiþ is eȝene about, for he ne schold noȝt sene.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2879 : And for the peple sholde seen hym alle, Whan it was day he broghte hym to the halle.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)6.14 : A Bagge and a Bolle he bar..And þe vernicle bi-fore, for men schulde him knowe And seo be his signes whom he souht hedde.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1466 : And for men schal thee noght deceive, That thou therof mygt ben avised, Thou schalt have day and tyme assised.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)13b/a : Aungels..harppiþ, for þey þat beþ worthi..falleþ nouȝt in to þe sorwe of despeire.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)14.165 : Menye of þo bryddes Hudden and heleden durneliche here egges, For no foul sholde hem fynde.
- a1425(?a1350) Nicod.(1) (Glb E.9)957 : For he suld noght be schent, þir tales he gan þam tell.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)134/31 : Good men ȝaf it hir for sche xulde prey for hem.
- a1500 Conq.Irel.(Rwl B.490)105 : Thay castyn adoun trees..for noone horsman ne sholde ouerwende.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)67/2 : Sche slowe it & threwe it in a gonge, for sche schulde noȝt be slaunderyd.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)175 : For my sonnys men shall you kenne, Off Rede shall be your bothis wede.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)160/6 : I am an angell to the sent, ffor thou shall no harmes hent.
4.
In a clause stating circumstances, an eventuality, or an alternative: in the event that, if; whether.
Associated quotations
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3524 : He cumeð for neode in to þisse leode, and help him nu for [Otho: an] þu miht.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2651 : We sulen nu witen for it dede ðis witterlike or in child-hede.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.NP.(Manly-Rickert)B.4489 : But for men speke of syngynge, I wol seye..saue ye I herde neuere man so synge.
- a1450(c1400) Wor.Serm.(Wor F.10)35/432 : I cannat seye..vor he be mor dampnable þat is bakbiter hym-silf, or ell he þat heryþ hym.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)14 : He hadde nomore to lese and that he knewe, ffor afterward she was to hym vntrewe.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)350 : But woldest þou me tellen For þei ben certayne men & syker on to trosten, Y wolde quyten þe þi mede.