Middle English Dictionary Entry
forthe(n adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | forthe(n adv. Also forþan, -þam, forþ(e. |
| Etymology | OE furþum, forþum, furþon, forþon. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
As an intensive adv., indicating that an extreme statement is being made: even, yet; ne (no) ~, not even, nor even, nor yet; ~ though, even if, even though.
Associated quotations
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)88/29 : Swa styriende is þe sawle þæt heo forþam on slepe ne stilð.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)134/21 : Þu nelt habben yfel wif..ne yfele scrud, ne forþan yfele sceos.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)1762 : Mare inoh Þann aniȝ wihht maȝȝ þennkenn, Ne forrþenn Godess enngleþeod Ne maȝȝ nohht unnderrstanndenn.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)6142 : & te birrþ..lutenn himm & lefftenn, Ȝet forrþenn þohh he nohht ne beo Swa god mann.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)13 : Ne forðe gef man haueð to done mid his rihte spuse on unsele..he sinegeð.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)137 : Hie ne biholden non iuel, ne non un-nut, ne forðen idel.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3012 : Al þat is on liue nis nig swa dure swa me is þin an lime, forðe min ahȝene lif.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)33/15 : Ne haue ðu hope to golde, ne te seluer..ne forðen te manne.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)6463 : Ac Arthour, no Ban, no forþ his host, No lenge wiþ Blasie soiourne most.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)8/211 : Ne mede, ne forþe no oþer licour.