Middle English Dictionary Entry
fōr(e-wā̆rd adj. & n.
Entry Info
| Forms | fōr(e-wā̆rd adj. & n. |
| Etymology | OE fore-weard. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Forward, farthest ahead; ?outward; (b) on foreward, at the beginning; (c) superior; on ~, in importance.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)5896 : Mid þan forwarde monnen [Otho: forme manne], ut wenden Prosenna.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)8104 : Vr forward [Vsp: fraward] schap þu ses.
b
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.MQuad.(Hrl 6258B)22/19 : Ȝyf þu on forewearde sumera þiȝest hwylce helpna [read: hwelpan].
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B:Berberich)79.21/2 : Nim þa wyrt..on forewearde octobre.
- a1225 Lamb.Hom.Creed (Lamb 487)73 : On forward þos cristendomes ech man leornede his bileue er he fulht underfenge.
c
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Dom.Quadr.(Bod 343)40/5 : Ðreo þing beoð ærest on forewearde æȝhwilcum men neodbehefe to habbene.
- a1500 Lydg.KEng.(1) (Lamb 306)p.29 : Henry, be forwarde [Hrl 372: froward] forse and myghte, slowe Seint Thomas.