forˈslow, foreˈslow, v. Obs. exc. arch.
Forms: 1 forsláwian, 3–4 for-, south. vorslewe, 6–7 for(e)slow(e, (6 foresloe). pa. tense 6–7 for(e)slowed, (6 -slowe). pa. pple. 3 vorslewede, 6 for(e)slowed, -slowne, 9 foreslowen.
[OE. forsláwian, f. for- prefix1 + sláwian to be slow, f. sláw, slow a.]
† 1. trans. To be slow or dilatory about; to lose or spoil by sloth; to delay, neglect, omit, put off. Also with inf. obj. Obs. exc. arch.
| c 888 K. ælfred Boeth. x, Þu naht ne forslawodest þæt þu þin aᵹen feorh for hine ne sealdest. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 4055 Wanne hii vorsoke is & uorslewede [v.r. for slewþed] & to none defense ne come. c 1315 Shoreham 114 Hyt hys thorwe besynesse That men for-slewyth hyt. c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶611 This foule sinne Accidie..forsleweth and forsluggeth, and destroyeth alle goodes temporeles. 1507 Will of Duke (Somerset Ho.), My tithes forgoten or forslewyd. 1585 Abp. Sandys Serm. (1841) 172 By procrastination..& forslowing our turning to the Lord. 1591 Harington Orl. Fur. xli. xlvii, He foresloed when he was on ground To be baptized. 1633 Hanmer Chron. Irel. 171 Do good then here, fore slow no time. 1677 W. Hubbard Narrative 71 They were resolved to foreslow no opportunity. 1862 Sir H. Taylor St. Clement's Eve iii. vi, Rash attempts shall fitly be foreslowen. |
† 2. To make slow, delay, hinder, impede, obstruct; to slacken.
Obs. exc. arch.| 1563–87 Foxe A. & M. (1596) 274/2 He foreslowed not his iourneie. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. June 119 Least night with stealing steppes doe you forsloe. 1603 Sir C. Heydon Jud. Astrol. xxi. 474 Saturne doth onely foreslow the operation of the Moone; the rest of the Planets doe all further her working. a 1660 Hammond Wks. (1684) IV. 565 If they be any time foreslowed and trashed by either outward or inward restraints. 1682 Dryden To Duchess on her return 15 The wond'ring Nereids..Foreslow'd [Bell printed foreflowed] her passage to behold her form. 1855 Singleton Virgil I. 140 What delay foreslows the laggard nights. |
| absol. 1615 Crooke Body of Man 261 Nature..doth not either preuent or foreslow vnlesse shee be prouoked. |
† 3. intr. To be slow or dilatory.
Obs.| 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. xi. 8 Although God forslow and delay for a while, yit..the time of vengeance will surely come. 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, ii. iii. 56 Foreslow no longer, make we hence amaine. |
Hence
forˈslowed ppl. a.,
forˈslowing vbl. n. Also
forˈslower, one who ‘forslows’.
| c 1590 Cartwright in Presbyt. Rev. Jan. (1888) 116 Much les cast you into forfiture for a fooresloed [printed foorestoed] letter. 1593 Nashe Christs T. 81 b, Of these foreslowers it is sayde..I will spue them out of my mouth. 1611 Cotgr., Accrochement..a staying, delaying, or foreslowing, of a Suit. |