▪ I. † ˈforeward, n.1 Obs.
Forms: 2 foreweard, 3–4 foreward(e, (3 voreward, 4 vorewerde), 3–6 forward(e, (5 forwart).
[OE. foreweard str. fem., forewarde wk. fem., f. fore- prefix + weard str. fem. security, precaution: see ward n. Cf. Du. voorwaarde, ON. forvǫrðr.]
An agreement, compact, covenant, promise.
| O.E. Chron. an. 1109 Ðær wurdon þa fore-wearda full worhte. c 1205 Lay. 1091 Al þat forward was ileft. 1340 Ayenb. 215 Þet me maki uorewerdes. c 1450 Chester Pl., Deluge 345 A forwarde now with thie I make. |
▪ II. † ˈforeward, n.2 Obs.
Also 4–6 forward(e, 5 fowarde.
[f. fore- prefix + ward n.]
1. The first line of an army, vanguard, front. in foreward: in the van.
| c 1400 Destr. Troy iv. 1148 Nestor..Fare shall before the forward to lead. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon i. 41 Fyrste of alle came the forewarde wyth the Oryflame. 1548 Patten Exped. Scotl. in Arb. Garner III. 62 Upon the side whereof our Foreward stood. 1631 Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 617 After a short resistance hee discomfited the Foreward of King Richard. 1664 Flodden F. vi. 52 And that in foreward with his Grace He should him find fit for to fight. |
| fig. 1566 T. Stapleton Ret. Untr. Jewel iii. 90 M. Iuell hath made but a simple brauerye in this forewarde of his doctours. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. xii. (Arb.) 176 This one word..placed in the foreward. |
2. The command of the van; a position in the van.
| c 1400 Sowdone Bab. 502 King Lukafer..shalle have the Fowarde. Ibid. 732. c 1460 Otterbourne 102 in Percy's Reliq., Thou arte my eme, The forwarde I gyve to the. 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 7 The forward in all battels belongeth to them. |
| fig. 1555 Hooper in Coverdale Lett. Mart. (1564) 122 Doubtles it is a singuler fauour of God..to geue you this foreward and preeminence. |
Hence fore-ˈwarder, one of the foreward or vanguard.
| 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. vi. v. §5. 192 Caligula..lost the defense of his fore-warders, and the straitnesse of the place permitted not his gard to follow. |
▪ III. † foreˈward, v. Obs.—1
[f. fore- prefix + ward v.]
trans. To guard, or fortify in front.
| 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. i. 817 Which she hath so forewarded againe with a counter-scarfe. |