† for-ˈthy, conj. Obs.
Also 1 forð{iacu}, 2–5 forthi, 3 south. forðui, 3–4 forthe.
[OE. forð{iacu}, forð{yacu}, f. for prep. + ð{yacu}, instr. of the. Cf. forthon.]
For this reason, therefore.
| c 1000 Ags. Gosp. John vii. 22 Forðy Moyses eow sealde ymbsnydenysse. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 21 Forðon a þis worlð winð onȝein us..for-þi we suneȝiet on-ȝein drihtenes welle. c 1230 Hali Meid. 9 For þi seli meiden forȝet ti folc. a 1250 Owl & Night. 69 Forthe the sulve mose Hire thonkes wolde the to-tose. 13.. E.E. Allit. P. A. 234 My joy for-þy watz much þe more. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. Prol. 187 For⁓þi I conseille alle þe comune to lat þe catte worthe. c 1450 Henryson Mor. Fab. 45 The morning myld, my mirth was maire forthy. 1501 Douglas Pal. Hon. i. xxii, For thy I knew the signe Was Acteon. 1590 Lodge Euphues Gold. Leg. in Halliw. Shaks. VI. 22 Forthy, Montanus, follow mine arreede. 1647 H. More Song of Soul ii. i. ii. xxviii, Forthy let first an inward centre hid Be put. |
b. not-for-thy: nevertheless. what for-thy: what of that?
| 1375 Barbour Bruce v. 319 Vndir the mantill nocht-forthi He suld be armyt preualy. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton) i. xv. (1859) 13 Nought for thy, this I byhote expresse. c 1430 Syr Tryam. 736 The fyrste that rode noght for thy, Was the kyng of Lumbardy. c 1450 Cov. Myst. (1841) 120 Nevyr the les, what for-thy..Withowith mannys company She myght not be with childe. |
Hence forthy that, earlier forthy the, because.
| c 1000 Ags. Gosp. John vii. 22 Na forði ðe heo of Moyses sy. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 41 On þon deie þa engles of heofene ham iblissieð: forði þe þa erming saulen habbeð rest of heore pine. a 1225 Ancr. R. 56 Al þæt vuel of Dina..ne com nout forðui þæt te wummen lokede cangliche o weopmen. 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 2698 Forthy þat sum has na knawyng Of purgatory..Þarfor [etc.]. c 1400 Mandeville (Roxb.) vi. 18 Þare also gert kyng Nabugodonosor putte þe three childer in þe fyre, forþi þat þai held þe riȝt beleue. |