† foˈrouth, adv. and prep. Sc. Obs.
Also 4 forrouth, 4–5 forow(e)th.
[app. a var. of forwith; cf. Sc. (Barbour) owtouth = out with. Perhaps forrow is a shortened form of this.]
A. adv. a. Of position: In front. b. Of direction: Forward. c. Of time: Before, beforehand.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce vi. 202 Ta Fifty weill Armyt, and forouth ga. Ibid. xiv. 242 The Erll thomas wes forrouth ay. Ibid. xvi. 504 As ȝe forrouth herd me tell. |
B. prep. Of time or place: Before.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce i. 163, I sall Hald It..as myn eldris forouch [sic MS.: ? read forouth] me. Ibid. xi. 341 Evyn forrouth hym suld ga The vaward. c 1375 Sc. Troy-bk. ii. 722 The Gregeois swyth Aryvede..A litill foroweth þe evennynge. 1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. xxxviii. 134 Ðai gaddryd þame all..And schupe þame forowth þame to be. |