far-forth, adv.
see far and forth; also 5 ferthforthe. Now usually as two words.
† 1. To a great distance or extent; far, far on.
| c 1470 Harding Chron. lxxii. (1812) 120 She ferforth with childe was then begonne. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour C vij, And it was thenne ferforthe on the day. c 1500 Melusine xix 106 These tydings were ferfourth brought in the land, that Vryan knew of it. 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. ix. 53 The humid night was farforth spent. 1858 M. Porteous Souter Johnny 30 Farforth to range. |
† b. quasi-adj. farforth day: late in the day, ‘high-day’. Obs.
| c 1440 Hylton Scala Perf. (W. de W. 1494) ii. xxxii, The soules that are in this state are not all lyke ferforth. c 1450 Merlin 282 It is so ferforth that it is to late for vs to repente. 1560 Ingelend Disob. Child in Hazl. Dodsley II. 312 In my bed, Until it were very far-forth day. |
2. To a definite degree, or distance; in phrases, how, so, or thus far-forth, as or so far-forth as, so far forth that. † a. in reference to distance or advanced position in space, time, or order. Obs.
| c 1340 Cursor M. 22711 heading (Trin.), Now we be þus ferforþ come. 1430 Lydg. Chron. Troy i. vi, So ferforthe as this my lyfe may endure. 1526 Tindale Luke xxii. 51 Soffre ye thus farre forthe. 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 117 He gave also..the royaltie of the water on each side, so farre foorth as..a man might cast a short hatchet out of the vessell unto the banke. |
b. in reference to degree or extent. Now only in phrase so far forth, with sense ‘to the specified extent and no more’.
| 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 9204 Alle þes were aȝen þe kinge, as verþuorþ as hii couþe. c 1340 Cursor M. 1585 (Trin.) Þe fende wende..Þat al mankynde shulde han ben his So ferforþ þat god not myȝt [etc.] c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame iii. 792 As fer forthe as I han my arte. 1413 Lydg. Pilgr. Sowle i. xxvii. (1859) 31 Crist..soo ferforth remitted his rigour. 1464 Paston Lett. No. 486 II. 152 As fertheforthe as I kan undyrstand yet, they shall have grase. 1533 Heywood Pard. & Friar in Hazl. Dodsley I. 207 Many a man so far-forth lacketh grace. 1549 Coverdale Erasm. Par. Rom. Argt., Knowyng well how farfurth his disciples, had nede of lyght meate. 1610 Shakes. Temp. i. ii. 178 Know thus far forth, By accident most strange, bountifull Fortune..hath mine enemies Brought to this shore. 1635 E. Pagitt Christianogr. i. iii. (1636) 179 [They] are so farre forth orthodox that they retain a saving profession. 1690 Locke Govt. ii. ii. §2 Every Offence..may..be also punished equally, and as far forth as it may in a Commonwealth. 1827 Whately Logic iv. i. §1 Induction..so far forth as it is an argument, may, of course, be stated Syllogistically. |
Hence, far ˈforthly adv. Obs., to a great or definite extent; also, entirely, excellently.
| 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. viii. 158 Dowel on Domesday Is digneliche [v.r. ferforþliche] I-preiset. c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iii. 52 God wote for I have, As ferforthly as I have kunnyng, Bene youres. c 1430 Life St. Kath. (1884) 19 So ferforthly that alle creatures schal haue neede to hym. ? 1481 Caxton Orat. G. Flamineus F iv, That knyght whiche avaunced himself most ferforthly..in the bataylle. 1494 Fabyan Chron. v. cxl. 127 The people..was wonderfully mynysshed..so ferforthlye, that..the quicke bodyes suffysed not to bury the ded. |