for, prep. and conj.
(fɔː(r),fə(r))
Also 2 fer, 3 south. vor, Orm. forr.
[OE. for prep. = OFris., OS. for, Goth. faur; probably an apocopated form of OTeut. *fora fore adv. and prep., arising independently in the various langs. (cf. the origin of MHG. and mod.Ger. vor from OHG. fora); it may however represent a parallel formation on the same stem with some other suffix. Another formation on this stem appears in OS. fur, furi, OHG. furi (MHG. vur, mod.Ger. für) prep., for, ON. fyre(r (Da. for, Sw. för) adv. and prep., before, for.
The use of for as a conj. has not been found earlier than the 12th c. The older lang. supplied the place of the conj. by locutions in which for prep. governed a neuter demonstrative pronoun followed by a relative particle: for ðon ðe, for ð{yacu} ðe, etc. (see for-thon, for-thy). The conjunctional use of for = for ðon ðe may be explained either as an extension of the functions of the prep. to govern a noun-sentence, or as an ellipsis.
In OE. for and fore seem to have been used indiscriminately as preps.; in ME. they were gradually differentiated.]
A. prep. † I. = before in various uses. Obs. (see fore.)
1. Of place. a. In front of; = before 2, 2 b.
| Beowulf 358 (Gr.) He for eaxlum ᵹestod Deniga frean. a 1000 Cædmon's Gen. 2108 (Gr.) For þæs eaᵹum, þe þe æsca tir æt guþe forᵹeaf! a 1300 Cursor M. 10497 (Cott.) Sco sagh þat angel for hir stand. 1601 Shakes. All's Well iv. iv. 3 For whose throne 'tis needfull..to kneele. |
b. In the presence or sight of; = before 3, 4.
| Beowulf 1649 (Gr.) Þa wæs..on flet boren Grendles heafod..eᵹeslic for eorlum. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 113 Moni mon..is erm for worlde and uniseli for gode. |
c. In asseveration; = before 5. (Cf. Gr. πρός.) In later use replaced by fore.
| c 1230 Hali Meid. 25 For gode hit is wlateful þing for te þenke þron. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 2564 My prayer ys now ido. For gode..so ys myn al-so. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 838 Ȝeysse for God, quod þe knyȝt, dede he was. |
d. Into the presence of.
| a 1000 Cædmon's Gen. 871 (Gr.) Ne dear nu forð gan for þe andweardne. a 1300 Cursor M. 23933 (Gött.) Leuedi..lede me wid þe for þi sun. |
2. Of time; = before 7, 8, 9. for lang: long ago. (Cf. ON. fyrer.)
| a 1000 Leg. Fursæus in Rel. Ant. I. 276 Ic wat þone man on Criste, þe wæs ᵹe-gripen nu for feowertyne ᵹearum. c 1200 Ormin 3076 Itt wass forr maniȝ daȝȝ ær cwidded þurrh prophetess. Ibid. 6996 Forrlange. a 1225 Ancr. R. 22 Bute ȝif hit beo holiniht vor þe feste. a 1300 Cursor M. 10716 (Cott.) Þe propheci Was said for lang of ysai. |
3. In preference to, above; = before 11.
| c 1000 Rood 93 (Gr.) He his modor..for ealle menn ᵹeweorðode ofer eall wifa cynn. c 1205 Lay. 13919 Ah for alle ure goden deore..Woden hehde þa hæhste laȝe. c 1300 Beket 721 The statutz of Clarendone ech bischop holde scholde; And nameliche theo for alle other. 14.. Sir Beues 160 (MS. M.) Sir, blessud be ye for alle men! 1486–1504 Let. in Denton Eng. in 15th Cent. (1888) Note D. 318 It is mor meritory to support..yowre tenants rathere then a stronge man, the pore..for a gentylman or a gentylmans man. |
II. Of representation, substitution or exchange.
4. a. Representing, as representative of.
‘The member for ― shire’ now belongs rather to 13 c.
| a 1000 Guthlac 171 (Gr.) Se for ealle spræc feonda mengu. a 1225 Leg. Kath. 952 An, for ham alle, Onswerede ant seide. 1414 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 22/2 Youre humble and trewe lieges that ben come for the Co[mmun]e of youre lond. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. v. 14 b, Their Xeque..which was there for the king. 1842 Macaulay Ess. (1848) II. 187 The members for many counties and large towns. 1843 Fraser's Mag. XXVIII. 334 Walker returned thanks for his lady. 1891 Law Times XCII. 124/2 Lord Palmerston and the Earl of Mayo, both Irish Peers, sat for English constituencies. |
b. In elliptical expressions, once for all, † for all. Cf. Ger. ein für allemal.
| 1611 Shakes. Cymb. ii. iii. 111 Learne now, for all, That I [etc.]. 1820 J. S. Knowles Virginius ii. ii, Now, once for all, farewell! 1881 Bible (Revised) Hebr. vii. 27 For this he did once for all [1611: once], when he offered up himself. |
5. In place of, instead of.
| c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Matt. ii. 22 He ᵹehyrde þæt archelaus rixode on iudea-þeode for ðæne herodem. a 1300 Cursor M. 9972 (Cott.) Maria..stondes vs for sceild and targe, Agains all ure wiþerwyns. c 1400 Mandeville (Roxb.) vi. 19 He died..and his broþer regned for him. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. (1580) 223 Some..will saye..Blacke Vellet, for blacke Veluet. 1611 Bible Luke xi. 11 Will he for a fish giue him a serpent? 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. i. 10 Bacchus and..Ceres..gave us Corn for Mast, for Water Wine. 1742 Young Nt. Th. i. 14 'Tis only change of pain..Severer for severe. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. 248 She could not..write..the count had written all that was wanting for her. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 208 For the old test..was substituted a new test. 1895 Lake in Law Times XCIX. 468/2 They will employ somebody to do the business for them. |
6. Of payment, purchase, sale, etc. = in exchange for: see exchange n. 1 g. a. Introducing the thing bought or sold, etc.: As the price of, or the penalty on account of. Also after verbs, e.g. pay, q.v.
| c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Matt. v. 38 Eaᵹe for eaᵹe and toð for toð. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 9 Nouþer gold ne seoluer ne moste gan for þe. c 1200 Ormin Ded. 143, I shall hafenn forr min swinnc God læn. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1725) I. 174 Men gaf fiueten schillynges for a goos or a heen. 1542 MS. Acc. St. John's Hosp., Canterb., To Nycholes for the byllet for the schyr and hys costis xv s. 1789 Durnford & East Reports III. 467 The right of a seller to his goods, where he cannot receive payment for them. 1895 Bookman Oct. 17/2 The Duc d'Aumale's great work..for which some of us would gladly give all the novels ever written. |
b. In requital of.
| c 1000 Ags. Ps. xxxiv. [xxxv]. 14 (Spelman) Aguldon me yfelu for godum. 1583 Holiband Campo di Fior 107 That she giue vs something for our paines. 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 151 Being found to yield considerably better than most other wheat, viz. somtimes twenty for one. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 221 Describe we next the Nature of the Bees, Bestow'd by Jove for secret Services. 1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 209 A full punishment for all his misdeeds. 1885 Bowen in Law Rep. 14 Q. Bench Div. 869 Counsel..who should take nothing for their services. 1895 A. I. Shand Life Sir E. B. Hamley I. ii. 21 He was very soundly thrashed for his pains. |
III. 7. a. In defence or support of; in favour of, on the side of. Opposed to against. Often predicatively: see be v. 23 c.
| c 1000 ælfric Exod. xiv. 14 And Drihten fiht for eow. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 7 Heo sculen..bidden for heom. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 363 How shulde men fiȝte for a persone þat þei witen not [etc.]? 1550 Crowley Epigr. 204 Where euerye man is for him selfe, And no manne for all. 1599 Shakes. Much Ado ii. i. 386 My Lord, I am for you, though it cost mee ten nights watchings. 1676 Hobbes Iliad Pref. (1686) 9 Homer indeed maketh some Gods for the Greeks and some for the Trojans. 1690 Locke Govt. ii. vi, Blinded contenders for monarchy. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 118 ¶3 Take my Word for it she is no Fool. 1743 Bulkeley & Cummins Voy. S. Seas Ded. 8 The Right Honourable Persons who will one Day determine for or against us. 1795 Hist. in Ann. Reg. 82 Fortune declared at last for the convention. 1847–9 Helps Friends in C. Ser. i. (1851) I. 177 You argue for it in vain. 1885 Cotton in Law Rep. 30 Ch. Div. 13, I do not think that the cases..carry out the proposition for which he has cited them. |
b. In exclamations, indicating the person, etc. favoured.
| 1664 Butler Hud. ii. ii. 604 Did ride..Crying, hey, for our town through the burrough. 1835 Lytton Rienzi iii. i, ‘Hurrah for the knight of St. John’ cried the mercenaries; ‘and hurrah for fair France and bold Germany!’ |
c. In honour of. Also to name a child for (= after) a person (now U.S. and Sc.).
| 1800 H. Wells Const. Neville I. 7 Louisa..had been named for the mother of Mr. Hayman. 1820 J. S. Knowles Virginius i. i, Cheer for him, if you are Romans. 1826 W. P. Scargill Truth I. ii. 7 ‘What is the name to be? I think your mother's was Matilda.’—‘Yes, she was named for a great worthy, lady Matilda.’ 1863 Hawthorne Our Old Home (1864) 20 He had named his two children, one for Her Majesty and the other for Prince Albert. |
d. quasi-n. fors and againsts: ‘pros and cons’.
| c 1815 Jane Austen Persuasion II. 185, I was privy to all the fors and againsts, I was the friend to whom he confided his hopes. 1892 Temple Bar Mag. Nov. 424 The fors and againsts..so inextricably mixed. |
IV. Of purpose or destination.
8. a. With a view to; with the object or purpose of: as preparatory to. for company: see company 1 b. Also, in preparation for or anticipation of (the stated time of a dinner, etc.).
| Beowulf 458 (Gr.) Þu..for arstafum usic sohtest. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. John xi. 4 Nys þeos untrumnys na for deaðe ac for godes wuldre. 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 2889 For warnyng of frendes þat lyefes. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xxiv. 505, I byleve that god hathe sente theym to vs for our savynge. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cxxx. 159 The Englyshmen neuer departed fro their batayls for chasynge of any man. a 1654 Selden Table-T. (Arb.) 82 The individual person set apart for the service of such a Church. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. vi, I left the iron crow in the wreck for next day. 1838 Thirlwall Greece III. xix. 95 [He] set sail..for the relief of Epidamnus. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 615 A considerable number of prisoners were immediately selected for execution. 1887 L. Carroll Game of Logic ii. §6. 50, I have been out for a walk. 1891 Law Times XC. 283/1 An order was made..for the payment of the balance to the plaintiff. 1900 Athenæum 5 May 545/1 The Annual Dinner of the Society will take place on Wednesday, May 16..at 7, for 7.30 p.m. 1929 E. Wallace Iron Grip viii, You can please yourself about accepting..No. 109 Grosvenor Place, and the hour is 7.30 for 8. 1970 J. Burke Four Stars for Danger iii. 49 ‘Seven-thirty,’ he was saying, ‘for eight. Right?’ |
b. For the purpose of being or becoming.
| c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon ix. 210 Berynge in theyr handes flowres and roses for a token. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 253 Whom to reserve for Husband of the Herd. 1741 tr. Fortunate Country Maid I. 13 He shall hear Reason; or, Waunds, I'll go for a Soldier. 1852 Dickens Bleak Ho. vii, [He] went for a soldier, and never came back. 1885 G. Allen Babylon xiv, I'm going to leave my place..and go for a pupil-teacher. |
c. Conducive to.
| a 1553 Udall Royster D. i. i. (Arb.) 12 To keepe the Queenes peace is more for his behoofe. 1664 Tillotson Wisd. being Relig. 31 It is for the general good of humane society. c 1710 C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 128 The Bishop does not care to stay long in this place not being for his health. 1791 Boswell Johnson Advt., Such remarks as were greatly for the advantage of the work. 1843 Fraser's Mag. XXVIII. 565 It is all for her good. |
d. for sale: to be sold; also used attrib. or as adj. phr. Cf. also sale n.2 2 e. for rent (U.S.) = to let.
| 1884 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 6 Sept. Advt., Baltimore Ware⁓house for Rent. 1889 Century Mag. Aug. 590/2 The last time I saw it, it was for rent. 1938 R. Field All this & Heaven Too (1939) xxxviii. 488 The best houses in the neighbourhood suddenly stood empty with ‘To Let’ or ‘For Sale’ signs on their walls. 1965 K. Giles Some Beasts no More ii. 42 There was a For Sale notice which alluded to a fine residence and ninety acres of land. |
9. a. In order to obtain. Also after verbs like ask, search, etc., or verbs implying motion, e.g. to go, send, etc. for: see the verbs.
So, with mixture of 21 or 6, in (I would not) for anything, for a great deal, for all the world, etc.
| c 1230 Hali Meid. 9 Þat sið þat tu eauer dides te into swuch þeowdom for worldliche wunne. c 1300 Havelok 788 Hauelok was war þat Grim swank sore For his mete, and he lay at hom. c 1450 Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.) 11 Naye, Lorde, that will we not indeede For nothinge treasspass unto thee. 1611 Bible Prov. xxviii. 21 For a piece of bread that man will transgresse. 1657 W. Rand tr. Gassendi's Life Peiresc i. 25 He would not for any thing but be present at the Solemnity to behold the same. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 620 Weary Proteus..Retir'd for Shelter to his wonted Caves. 1728 Young Love Fame i. 50 What will not men attempt for sacred praise? 1806–7 J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life (1826) v. xix, After having fee'd very high for places at Mrs. Siddons's benefit. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 84 To bring a suit for this sum in the Court of King's Bench. 1864 Holme Lee In Silver Age (1866) 403, I would not for the world hurt his feelings. 1883 Manch. Exam. 27 Nov. 5/5 The drawers..struck work for an advance of wages. 1891 Newcastle Even. Chron. 29 Jan. 3/1 For two pins I'll throw the lamp at you. |
b. Of an amount staked or an object risked, e.g. to play for (a certain stake): see play v. Also in a wager, in asseverations, and in a narrow escape for one's life, to try a man for his life.
| a 1225 Juliana 16 For mi lif quoð hire feder þe schal laðin his luue for þu schalt beon ibeaten [etc.]. a 1553 Udall Royster D. i. i. (Arb.) 12, I haue yond espied hym sadly comming, And in loue for twentie pounde, by hys glommyng. 1596 Shakes. Tam. Shr. iii. i. 49 Now for my life the knaue doth court my loue. 1602 ― Ham. iii. iv. 24 Dead for a Ducate, dead. 1836 Southey in Q. Rev. LVII. 10 Major Beltran..had a narrow escape for his life. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 223 Rosewell..had been tried for his life by Jeffreys. |
c. for (one's) life: in order to save one's life; also in hyperbolical use, as if one's life depended on it, with one's utmost efforts. Also in phrases like I cannot do it for the life of me, for my heart, soul, etc., where the sense is sometimes ‘if it were to save my life’, etc., and sometimes ‘if I were to give my life’, etc.
| a 1250 Owl & Night. 1078 He ne mihte for his live Iseo þat man wiþ hire speke. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 52 He had never had the audacitie and boldnesse for his hart, to set one foote forward into Syria. 1596 Shakes. Tam. Shr. i. ii. 38, I..could not get him for my heart to do it. 1603 ― Meas. for M. iv. iii. 160, I dare not for my head fill my belly. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 85 ¶1, I cannot for my Heart leave a Room, before I have studied [etc.]. 1786 Mackenzie Lounger No. 56. 197 A great many other things..which I can't do for the heart of me. a 1806 H. K. White in Life & Rem. (1825) 176 You can't for the soul of you, learn how to frown. 1809 [see life n. 3 c]. 1813 Byron Giaour 250 Away, away, for life he rides. 1831 L. E. Landon Romance & Reality (1848) 354 We must row for our lives. 1843 Blackw. Mag. LIV. 742, I could not resist a smile for the life of me. 1848 Dickens Dombey xix, Walter, for his life, would have hardly called her by her name. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 131 Charles fled for his life. 1887 Times 15 Apr. 9/6 Back! for your lives! |
d. to run, etc. for it: see it.
10. Indicating the object to which the activity of the faculties or feelings is directed: frequent after vbs., as care, long, search, etc., ns., as an eye, genius, talent, taste, desire, love, etc., or adjs., as eager, watchful, etc. (see those words); also in exclamations expressing expectancy or desire, now for, oh for.
| 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. ii. ii. 159 O for a Falkners voice, To lure this Tassell gentle back againe. 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. v. i. Wks. 1856 I. 133 O for a fat leg of ewe mutton! 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 300 Such a Zeal they have for flow'ry Sweets. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 30. ¶5 Now for Colonel Constant's Epistle. 1834 Medwin Angler in Wales I. 37 Now for a cigar and Charters. 1842 Macaulay Lays, Virginia 102 Oh for the tents which in old time whitened the Sacred Hill! |
11. a. Before an inf., usually for to, (Sc. till), indicating the object of an action; = ‘in order (to)’. Now arch. or vulgar. Cf. Fr. pour, Ger. um zu.
For for to in other connexions see forto prep. and conj.
| a 1175 Cott. Hom. 221 Forte don him understonden. a 1200 Moral Ode 180 Ne brekeþ ne ure drihte hellegate for lesen hi of bende. c 1200 Ormin 1006 All þeȝȝre lac wass swillc & swillc, Forr oþerr þing to tacnenn. c 1205 Lay. 13307 Ich æm icumen þe þus næh for muchelere neode for suggen þe tiðende. 1297 R. Glouc. (1724) 25 He bi gan to schake ys axe, for to smyte anon. c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 53 For to clense þe wounde use þe medicyn of mel roset. c 1485 Digby Myst. iv. 528 What can þou saye, Thy-self for till excuse? 1535 Coverdale Prov. xxviii. 20 He..maketh to moch haist for to be riche. 1578–1600 Scot. Poems 16th C. II. 162 For till obscure thy light. 1688 R. Holme Armoury ii. 86/1 A Billet is a piece of Cleft Wood for to Burn. 1748 G. Washington Jrnl. 8 Apr., Writ. 1889 I. 6 You must ride round y⊇ back of y⊇ Mountain for to get below them. 1774 A. Adams in J.Q. Adams' Fam. Lett. (1876) 41 Having only put off its present glory for to rise finally to a more happy state. |
b. Hence for to often occurs merely for to before an inf. Obs. in educated use.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 54 Þe eppel þæt ich loke on is forbode me to etene, & nout forto biholden. c 1305 St. Swithin 14 in E.E.P. (1862) 43 Seint swythin..swiþe ȝung bigan Forto seruie ihesu crist. c 1340 Cursor M. 717 (Fairf.) Satanas..þoȝt þat ioy for-til stynt. 1397 Rolls of Parlt. III. 379/2 It was my menyng and my wenyng for to haue do the best for his persone and for his estate. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cxxvi. 152 The kyng of Englande..wyst nat where for to passe the ryuer of Some, the which was large and depe. 1659 D. Pell Impr. Sea 328 note, Blustring winds..make the Seas for to rage and roar. 1674 tr. Scheffer's Lapland 84 Birds, Beasts, Fishes, which it was unlawfull for to bring in at the foredoor. |
12. Indicating destination. Cf. Fr. pour. a. In order to arrive at; with the purpose of going to (a place). Formerly sometimes after go, journey, travel, etc. Now chiefly after verbs denoting the commencement of a journey, as to depart, start, sail, leave, or the act of directing movement, as to steer, make; also after the pple. bound. Also predicatively: see be 23 b.
| c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon i. 36 She asked whi they were departed for the kynges courte. 1595 Shakes. John iii. iii. 71 For England Cosen, goe. 1595 Drake Will in Wills Doctor's Com. (Camden) 77 Her Majesties fleete nowe in service for the west Indyes. 1646 Markham Let. in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 2 [I am] most certainly informed that hee is at Newcastle and intends for France. 1660–1 Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872–5 II. 43 Mr. Mabbot is, shortly to goe for Ireland. 1704 Addison Italy Wks. 1804 V. 149 We sailed from hence directly for Genoa. 1706–7 Farquhar Beaux Strat. ii. i. Wks. (1742) 17 Are you for church this morning? 1719 De Foe Capt. Singleton xviii, We steered directly for the gulf. 1724 ― Mem. Cavalier (1840) 285 We resolved for Newark. 1763 Wesley Jrnl. 20 Aug. (1827) III. 138 We concluded to try for Larn, though we knew not the way. 1791 ‘G. Gambado’ Ann. Horsem. ix. (1809) 106 The curb broke, and he [a horse] ran straight on for the cliffs. 1820 Keats St. Agnes i, His frosted breath..seem'd taking flight for heaven without a death. 1838 Thirlwall Greece II. 296 The Persian army was in full march for Athens. 1865 Kingsley Herew. (1884) 251 They rowed away for Crowland. 1879 Church Spenser i. 9 Spenser was sixteen or seventeen when he left school for the University. 1883 Law Times Rep. XLIX. 332/2 The Clan Sinclair..headed for the Margaret. 1885 Manch. Exam. 12 Mar. 4/6 Lord Reay left London yesterday for India. |
b. transf. of time.
| 1885 Truth 2 July 3/1 It was getting on for two before supper was served. |
c. Introducing the intended recipient, or the thing to which something is intended to belong, or in connexion with which it is to be used.
| 1411 Rolls of Parlt. III. 650/1 Certein Commune of Pasture..whiche the said Lord..claymes for hymself and his tenantz. 1551 Turner Herbal i. F v b, Byrche..is good to make..twygges for baskettes. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. xxi. 27 Were set up 2 faire pavillions, the one for him..the other for the Ambassador. 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. ii. i. 131 Val. Madam, they are for you. 1636 Massinger Bashf. Lover v. i, Your bottles too, that I carry For your own tooth? 1660 Act 12 Chas. II c. 4 Sched. s.v. Boxes, French boxes for Marmelade or Gelly. 1759 Johnson Idler No. 42 ¶2 The Idler holds the shield for virtue, as well as the glass for folly. 1835–6 Todd Cycl. Anat. I. 518/1 For this group of animals M. D'Haan has proposed the name of Asiphonoidia. 1839 C. Sinclair Holiday House xii. 281 He bought gowns for all the maids. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 20 He had..secured for himself a place in history. 1861 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 45 A fireproof chamber for the muniments. Ibid. A stone-vaulted kitchen, where dinner could be dressed for an army of guests. |
13. Of appointment, appropriation, or fitness. a. Following a vb., adj., or noun of quality, denoting appointment, appropriation, fitness, etc.
| c 1400 Mandeville (1839) Prol. 2 Dethe withouten ende, the whiche was ordeyned for us. Ibid. v. 56 A manere of Wode..the whiche is goode for manye dyverse Medicynes. c 1450 Cov. Myst. 318 We xal asay Yf the cros for the be mete. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV, Introd. 9 Henry duke of Lancastre..a prince apt for a kyndom. 1548–9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion Rubric, The vesture appoyncted for that ministracion. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. ii. 5 To put himselfe in a readinesse for that voiage. 1674 N. Cox Gentl. Recreat. iii. (1677) 62 Fitter for a large Inne than a Lady's Chamber. 1722 De Foe Plague (1754) 9 Loaded with Baggage and fitted out for travelling. 1764 Foote Patron ii. Wks. 1799 I. 349 Robinson Crusoe is advertis'd for this evening. 1789 Blake Songs Innoc., Echoing Green iii, Many sisters and brothers, Like birds in their nest, Are ready for rest. 1815 Jane Austen Emma (1849) 31 Very fit for a wife, but not at all for a governess. 1838 Thirlwall Greece III. xxii. 247 Quite sufficient for his purpose. 1840 Ibid. VII. 283 Seleucus, reflecting on Pithon's fate, augured that which was designed for himself. 1840 P. Parley's Ann. 54 What is a clock good for? |
b. After adjs. or advs. qualified by too, enough, etc., the prep. is often equivalent to the infinitive combinations, ‘to admit of’, ‘to require, call for’, or the like.
| 1803–6 Wordsworth Ode, Int. Immortality, Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears. 1832 Westm. Rev. XVII. 82 The passages..are too frequent for quotation. Mod. The subject is quite important enough for separate treatment. |
c. Following a n., or predicatively: = Appointed or adapted for, proper or suitable for. (there is) nothing for it but: (there is) no way of meeting the case, no course open, but.
| c 1350 Will. Palerne 294 Clothed in comly cloþing for any kinges sone. 1486 Bk. St. Albans D iij b, That hauke is for a Baron. 1583 Holiband Campo di Fior 55, I will rather have him. He is for me. 1663 Pepys Diary 27 Apr., He is not for my family, he is grown so out of order and not to be ruled. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. v. 64 Sea-Carriages are made less, as the Block-maker that makes them hath Rules for. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 297 ¶6 By no means a match for his enemies. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) III. 198, I have nothing for it..but matrimony. 1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 250 The sheets, a term for various ropes. 1840 P. Parley's Ann. 55 Do you know it is time for school? 1845 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 4 The momentous questions which have interest only for noble minds. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 223 Lauderdale..still continued to be minister for Scotch affairs. 1850 Carlyle Latter-d. Pamph. i. 37, I fear she is not long for this world! 1874 G. W. Dasent Half a Life I. 196 There was nothing for it but to grin and bear it. 1885 Manch. Exam. 22 Sept. 5/3 The old law making hanging the inevitable penalty for murder. 1886 Ibid. 3 Nov. 3/1 The Quarterly for October. |
d. (it is) for (a person) to do something: becoming or permissible to, the duty or concern of.
| 1611 Bible Prov. xxxi. 4 It is not for kings to drinke wine. 1819 Corbett Eng. Gram. xvii. §193 It is for the guilty to live in fear. 1885 Bowen in Law Rep. 14 Q.B. Div. 872 It will be for the Rule Committee to alter the rule if [etc.]. |
e. to be for it (orig. Mil. slang): to have one's name on the crime sheet, i.e. to be marked down for punishment or trouble; hence, to be in for trouble.
| 1909 Captain Apr. 14/2 ‘He'll give the whole show away?’ ‘Then, I suppose, we'll all be for it.’ 1915 ‘I. Hay’ First Hundred Thousand xvi. 214 No more trial trips; no more chaperoning! This time, we decided, we were ‘for it’. 1915 War Illustr. 21 Aug. 22/1 Then it is that he realises so acutely that if anything happens to his pilot he is ‘for it’, as the current flying phrase has it. 1917 P. MacGill Brown Brethren iv. 68 If Captain Thorley finds 'im missin' he'll be for it. 1919 Athenæum 25 July 664/1 ‘You're for it’, i.e., for the ‘orderly room’. Ibid. 1 Aug. 695/1 ‘On the peg’, to be charged with a ‘crime’. ‘You'll be for it’, the sergeant's threat of ‘the peg’. 1926 Punch 28 Apr. 466/1 Major Atlee..declared that if the discipline of a unit broke down it was the officer in charge who should be ‘for it’. 1928 [see Bonzo]. 1940 War Illustr. 5 Jan. 567/1 If a bomb comes, one is ‘for it’. |
14. Of result or effect; used after words like cause, ground, motive, reason, etc. (See the ns.)
15. Designating an amount to be received or paid; cf. 6. Also in Cricket scoring: With the result of (so many runs), at the cost of (so many wickets).
| 1776 Trial of Nundocomar 23/2 Bollakey Doss drew a draught on Benares..for a lack of rupees. 1857 Hughes Tom Brown ii. viii., The Lord's men were out by half-past twelve o'clock for ninety-eight runs. 1885 L'pool Daily Post 1 June 5/4 The University men were all out for 44. 1886 Stevenson Dr. Jekyll i. (ed. 2) 8 The signature was good for more than that. 1887 A. Birrell Obiter Dicta Ser. ii. 159 [He] sent the author a bank-bill for {pstlg}100. Mod. Put my name down for two guineas. (Comm.) We have this day drawn on you for {pstlg}100. (Cricket) The score stood at 150 for 6 wickets. |
V. Of advantage or disadvantage.
16. a. With the purpose or result of benefiting or gratifying; as a service to.
| a 1000 Cynewulf Crist (Gollancz) 1423 Ic þæt for worulde ᵹebolade. c 1205 Lay. 62 Þæt he þeos soðfeste word segge..for his fader saule. a 1225 Ancr. R. 22 Þe uormest viue [Psalmes] uor ou sulf & for alle þet ou god doð. 1340 Ayenb. 1 Þin holy blod þet þou sseddest ane þe rod uor me and uor mankende. 1605 Shakes. Macb. iii. i. 65 If't be so For Banquo's Issue haue I fil'd my Minde. c 1630 Milton Passion 12 Dangers..Which he for us did freely undergo. 1631 Gouge God's Arrows v. Ded. 406 Leave me not to shift for my selfe. 1674 tr. Scheffer's Lapland 118 If he sees convenient he may set up for himself. 1816 Byron Parisina iii, They only for each other breathe. |
b. ironically.
| 1740 Xmas Entertainm. ii. (1883–4) 12, I will swinge his Jacket for him. 1855 Smedley H. Coverdale liii, It would have been a mercy if I hadn't broken some of his bones for him. |
17. As affecting the interests or condition of (a person or thing), whether for good or evil. Chiefly after adjs., ns. of quality, or advbs.
In early Eng. the dative was used in this sense without prep. Cf. Gr. and Lat. uses.
| 1537 Bible (Matthew) Ps. cxviii. [cxix]. 71 It is good for me that I haue bene in trouble. 1632 J. Lee Short Surv. 7 Grain, butter, cheese, and such other commodities usefull for the life of man. 1883 Daily News 22 Sept. 4/6 This..bodes ill for the peace of Europe. 1891 Sir. A. Wills in Law Times XCI. 233/2 Things had..begun to look badly for all concerned. |
18. a. Governing a n. or pers. pron. followed by an infinitive, forming a construction equivalent to ‘that he, etc. may, might, should’, etc.
Originally, the prep. had the sense 13 or 16, the inf. being either the subject of the sentence or expressive of purpose; but the use was early extended to include cases to which this analysis is inapplicable. In the 15-16th c. the L. use of the accus. and inf. was often imitated in Eng.: e.g. ‘Behold how good..it is, brethren to dwell together in unity’ (Ps. cxxxiii. 1, Prayer-bk. version).
| 1508 Fisher 7 Penit. Ps. xxxii. Wks. (1876) 41 It is better for a synner to suffre trybulacyon..in this lyfe..than to be eternally tourmented in hell. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. V, (an. 7) 65 b, A tent of purple velvet for the counsailers to mete in. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. vi. 16 It was verye needefull and necessarye for him to take a Pilot. 1621 R. Brathwait Nat. Embass. Ded. (1641) A ij, It is high time for the Satyrist to pen somthing which may [etc.]. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 219, I must forsake This Task; for others afterwards to take. 1777 Watson Philip II (1839) 85 The [island] lay at so great a distance from Europe, as had made it almost impossible for the Christians to send assistance to the besieged. 1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 220 For a man who had such good blood to part with it so wantonly was a shame. 1843 Frasers Mag. XXVIII. 713 What a condition for me to come to! 1883 Law Times 20 Oct. 408/1 The new rules..render it more difficult for a defence to be kept up. 1896 M. Field Attila i. 19 When a girl becomes A woman, it is usual for her mother To speak to her of life. |
b. in exclamatory use.
| 1757 Foote Author ii. Wks. 1799 I. 156 For this low, lousy son of a shoemaker, to talk of families. |
VI. Of attributed or assumed character; = as.
19. a. In the character of, in the light of, as equivalent to; esp. to introduce the complement after verbs of incomplete predication, e.g. to have, hold, etc. (see those verbs), where as or as being may generally be substituted. to beg (a person) for a fool: see beg v. 5 a.
| Beowulf 1175 (Gr.) Þæt þu for sunu wolde hererinc habban. c 1000 ælfric Deut. xxxi. 20 And tellaþ min wedd for naht. c 1200 Ormin 387 Þatt mann hemm hallt forr gode menn. 1297 R. Glouc. (1724) 142 Þis word was for dom yholde. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B xv. 578 Ȝit knewe þei cryst..For a parfit prophete. c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 110 Þer ben but .vj. boonys whanne þat þou rekenest os coronale for oon boon. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon lxxxiv. 265 Know for trouth that..god loueth fayth. a 1553 Udall Royster D. iii. iii. (Arb.) 44 He vaunteth him selfe for a man of prowesse greate. 1568 Grafton Chron., Hen. V, (an. 2) II. 446 The Englishe Ambassadours receyving this for aunswere, tooke their leave. 1644 Evelyn Mem. (1857) I. 78 Celebrated in France for the best in the kingdom. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 169 ¶11 Ill-nature among ordinary Observers passes for Wit. 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. xi, You will be hanged for a pirate. 1725 Watts Logic ii. iii. §1 We mistake his Blunders for Beauties. 1760 Foote Minor i. Wks. 1799 I. 239, I wou'd engage to elude your penetration, when I am beau'd out for the baron. 1813 Byron Giaour 37 A grotto..That holds the pirate for a guest. 1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 40 That distance went for nothing. 1843 Fraser's Mag. XXVIII. 702, I know for a fact that a courier was waiting. 1845 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 5 Mere chronology..is often mistaken for history. 1883 Stevenson Silverado Sq. (1886) 34 The pines look down upon the rest for underwood. |
b. So with an adjective, as in to take for granted, to leave for dead, etc. for certain, for sure, † for wiss, see those adjs.
Also, with mixture of sense 8, as in the formula of the Marriage Service (quot. 1549) where the sense is ‘whether she prove better or worse’, etc.
| c 1460 Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. xi. (1885) 136, I holde it for vndouted, þat [etc.]. 1549 Bk. Com. Prayer Matrimony, I..take thee..to my wedded wife..for better for worse. 1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt. 49 In the mean time I take it for granted. 1681 Cotton Wond. Peak 69 At the bottom he was left for dead. 1700 Dryden Pal. & Arc. iii. 704 He quivered with his feet, and lay for dead. 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. vi. §30 Admitted for morally certain. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. 208 L's friends..gave the man up for lost. 1854 Patmore Angel in Ho. i. ix, I..blamed the print for old. |
c. what is he, etc. for (a man, etc.): what is (he) considered as (a man), i.e. what sort of a (man, etc.) is he? (Cf. Ger. Was für ein?) Obs. or dial.
| 1580 Spenser Shep. Cal. iv. 17 What is he for a Ladde you so lament? 1623 Bingham Xenophon 136 When the Lacedemonians enquired, what Xenophon was for a man, he answered, that [etc.]. 1657 W. Rand tr. Gassendi's Life Peiresc ii. 265 Consider..how many, and what for Epistles he sent to this very City. 1708 Brit. Apollo No. 63. 3/2 What are you for a Lover. a 1757 Cibber Comical Lovers 1, What is she for a Woman? 1827 Scott Surg. Dau. x, ‘What is that for a Zenobia?’ said Hartley. |
d. (I, etc.) for one: as one, as a unit in an aggregate. for one thing: used parenthetically when one out of several reasons, instances, etc., is mentioned.
| 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. ix, Will you go..? I will go for one. 18.. Keble Lett. Spirit. Counsel (1870) 176, I could say, for one thing, make your account beforehand with this trouble coming upon you. 1880 Scribner's Mag. XX. 356/1, I for one shall never do so. |
e. for the first, second, etc. time: as a first, second, etc., instance. Cf. Fr. pour la première fois.
| 1730 A. Gordon Maffei's Amphith. 68 The Romans were for the first time forbid such Games. 1788 Gibbon Decl. & F. lxvi. VI. 431 note, He [Aldus] printed above sixty considerable works of Greek literature, almost all for the first time. 1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 177 There was a shower of rain for the first time since my arrival. 1863 Trafford World in Ch. III. 253 Is he a man likely to fall in love for a second time? 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 399 That they may converse with Socrates for the last time. |
f. for good (and all): see good.
g. With an adjective, in pleonastic use, as for free, for no charge, without payment; for real, real. Also in such phrases used attrib. Chiefly U.S.
| 1887 in Amer. Speech (1950) XXV. 39/2 When a for-true doctor come to see him. 1900, etc. [see fair n.2 1 c]. 1942 in Wentworth Amer. Dial. Dict. (1944) 228/1 Railroads don't haul trash for free. 1943 Amer. Speech XVIII. 47 It might be reasonable to assume that ‘for free’ results from the confusion of ‘free’ and ‘for nothing’. 1954 W. M. Miller Conditionally Human (1963) 72 Don't worry, Richard. This time it's for real. 1957 New Yorker 21 Sept. 33/2 He said psychiatrists had been enthusiastic, patents have been applied for, and it's for real. 1957 G. Smith Friends 147 Back home we pay if we're ill... You don't expect to be ill for free. 1958 K. Amis I like it Here xi. 133 Bowen tried to buy some drinks, conscious of having been fed and made drunk for free. 1960 J. Kirkwood There must be a Pony (1961) xii. 95 A good guy; a movie cop..; a for-real cop. |
VII. Of the cause or reason.
20. a. By reason of, under the influence of (a feeling or subjective condition).
| Beowulf 338 (Gr.) Wen ic, þæt ᵹe for wlenco, nalles for wræcsiðum ac for hiᵹe-þrymmum Hroðᵹar sohton. a 1123 O.E. Chron. an. 1101 For heoran agenan mycelan unᵹetrywþan. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 17 He..ȝef us seodðan ane muchele ȝef for his muchele eadmodnesse. 1297 R. Glouc. (1724) 58 He by gan hym by þenche, And hys wraþþe toward þe kyng, for drede of þe erl, quenche. c 1380 Antecrist in Todd 3 Treat. Wyclif 152 How may þei seie for shame þat þei folowen Crist truly? c 1440 Jacob's Well 72 Boldere to synne for trust of þe mercy of god. 1580 Sidney Arcadia ii. xvi. 172 Like the poore childe, whose father, while he beates him, will make him beleeue it is for loue. 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 305 Our men raised a shout for joy. 1802 Noble Wanderers II. 32 Arsaces, panting for rage, had already grasped his poniard. 1827 Southey Hist. Penins. War II. 776 They had, for pure wantonness, set fire to some of the houses. |
b. for fear of, that, etc.: see fear n.1 3 b.
| 1847 Marryat Childr. N. Forest v, Take your guns too, for fear of accident. |
21. Because of, on account of: a. a person or persons.
| c 1000 ælfric Gen. xx. 3 Þu scealt sweltan nu Abimeleh for þam wife þe þu name. c 1205 Lay. 14458 Þin hired þe hateð for me & ich æm iuæid for þe. 13.. K. Alis. 2318 Al Pierce for him sorwith, y-wis. 1382 Wyclif Ps. xxvi. 11 Dresse me in a riȝt path for myn enemys. 1549 Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 62 The cause was for them that rose in Essex. 1605 Shakes. Lear ii. iv. 55 Thou shalt have as many dolours for thy daughters. 1819 Cobbett Eng. Gram. xvii. §196 When I see many its in a page, I always tremble for the writer. |
b. a thing. Also in for cause (see cause n. 6) and after such ns. as charge, reputation, etc., and adjs. as sorry (see those words). Some adjs. formerly construed with this prep. now take others; e.g. glad of.
| c 1000 ælfric Exod. xviii. 9 Þa wæs Iethro bliþe for eallum þam godum þe Drihten dyde Israhela folce. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 17 Þine frond þu luuest for þam goddede þe he þe deð. 1297 R. Glouc. (1724) 113 Ac for ȝoure coming ich am glad. c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 25 Þei shulden not be aferd for perillis. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour D iij, The one is prowde for his scyence. 1631 Gouge God's Arrows iv. xii. 390 Faith herein will make us thankfull for all manner of prosperity. 1704 Addison Italy Wks. 1804 V. 149 The gulf..is..remarkable for tempests. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. 225 A mother respected..for her feminine virtues. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 308 Notorious both for covetousness and for parsimony. |
¶ In OE. for with the instrumental case of the neuter demonst. pron. formed advb. phrases = ‘therefore’, which, with the addition or ellipsis of the relative ðe became conjunctional phrases = ‘because’. (For these phrases and their later representatives see for-thon, for-thy; cf. also for-why). Similarly, for that appears from 13th c. as a conjunction; and in the 16th c. there are a few examples of for this in the senses ‘therefore’ and ‘because’.
| a 1553 Philpot Exam. & Writ. (1842) 352 If that he demand the reason why we do so, I will gladly satisfy his mind..For this [orig. quia] we know surely those things, as they have written, to have come unto us uncorrupt. Ibid. 396 For this [orig. igitur], Florebell, thou hast a high bishop and ruler of the church such a one peradventure as thou soughtest not after. |
c. On account of one's regard for. So in for the sake of (see sake), used synonymously with for in this sense and in senses 7 and 8.
| a 1000 Cædmon's Gen. 2472 (Gr.) Þa ic for god wille ᵹemund⁓byrdan. c 1000 Rood 113 (Gr.) Se þe for dryhtnes naman deaðes wolde..onbyriᵹan. a 1200 Moral Ode 23 Þe him solue forȝet for wiue ne for childe. c 1205 Lay. 13223 Ich bad hine for gode don þat child of hade. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. iii. 170 To be maried for monye mede hath a-sented. a 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 981, I leeue þe proloug for shortnes. 1697 Dryden Virg. Past. x. 35 Lycoris..for thy Rival tempts the raging Sea. 1697 Ken Evg. Hymn ii, Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son. |
d. In adjurations = for the sake of. Also in exclamations, chiefly of pain or sorrow.
| a 1000 Boeth. Metr. i. 128 He..hi for Drihtne bæd..þæt hi [etc.]. c 1205 Lay. 57 Nu bidded Laȝamon alcne æðele mon for þene almiten godd..þet he [etc.]. c 1325 Coer de L. 1782 Mercy, Richard, for Mary maid! 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. ii. 54 Ich fraynede hure faire þo, for hym þat hure made. c 1460 Towneley Myst. (Surtees) 210 Alas! for my master..That yester even..Before Caiphas was broght. 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, v. ii. 75 Heauen for his mercy: what treachery is heere? 1609 Bible (Douay) Joel i. 15 Crie ye to our Lord: A a a, for the day. 1741 Richardson Pamela I. 81 But I have not found it so, Alas for me. 1820 Byron Blues ii. 64 Lady Blueb. Oh fie! Miss Lil. And for shame! 1820 Keats Lamia 271 For pity do not melt! 1844 Dickens Christmas Carol iii. 90 Alas for Tiny Tim. |
† e. for because: see because A. 1, B. 1. Obs.
22. Of an efficient or operative cause: In consequence of, by reason of, as the effect of. (Now chiefly after comparatives; otherwise usu. replaced by from, of, through.) Also in for want of: see want.
| c 1205 Lay. 27818 Þa eorðe gon beouien for þan vnimete blase. ? c 1370 Robt. K. Cicyle 55 Bettur he were..So to do then for hunger dye. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 349 Scarioth was þe worse for beyng in þis holi cumpanye. c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 101 & þou fyndest a man havynge þe crampe for a wounde. 1491 Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) i. xl. A a, For the grete hete of the sonne She hadde the febres or axes. 1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII, c. 11 For defaute of such issue to remaigne to oure Soveraigne Lorde. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV, (an. 1), To die for thirst standyng in the river. 1578 Cooper Thesaurus s.v. Vetustas, He lacketh teeth for age. 1641 J. Jackson True Evang. T. ii. 121 For the abundance of milk she [the cow] did give, the owner might eate butter. 1718 F. Hutchinson Witchcraft Ded. (1720) 11 Her chin and her knees meeting for Age. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. xxviii, In this very room a debtor of his..died for want. 1850 Lynch Theo. Trin. v. 84 Shall we be the brighter spirits for being the duller men? 1887 A. Birrell Obiter Dicta Ser. ii. 103 They breathed the easier for the news. Mod. He is worse for liquor. This coat is worse for wear. |
23. Of a preventive cause or obstacle. a. In spite of, notwithstanding. Rare exc. in for all, for any, with a n.; also absol. for all that, etc.
| O.E. Chron. an. 1006 Ac for eallum þissum se here ferde swa he sylf wolde. c 1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 1135 For al that heuer he mighte do, His menesoun might nowt staunche tho. c 1386 Chaucer Doctor's T. 129 This mayde shal be myn, for any man. c 1430 Syr Gener. 8058 Loue him she wold for ony drede. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. V, (an. 4) 53 But for all that he could do, he lost almoste ccc of his fote⁓men. 1681 H. More Exp. Dan. iii. 68 This Alexander the Great for all his greatness died. 1794 Burns For a' that i, The rank is but the guinea stamp; The man's the gowd for a' that. 1820 Keats St. Agnes i, The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold. 1871 Rossetti Poems, Last Confess., I was a moody comrade to her then, For all the love I bore her. 1873 F. Hall Mod. English p. xv, For all that, I have contrived..to give some thought to my mother-tongue. |
b. in conjunctional phrases: for all that, for all = notwithstanding (that), although. Now rare in literary use.
| 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. clvi. 189 For all that the frenche kynge sende to hym to delyuer the same castels, yet he refused so to do. 1588 Marprel. Epist. (Arb.) 21, I tell you D. Stannop (for all you are so proude). 1682 Bunyan Holy War 24 [Conscience]..(for all he was now so debauched), did terrifie..them sore. 1786 Mackenzie in Lounger No. 90 ¶7 For all her feelings are so fine. 1841 L. Hunt Seer (1864) 40, I am not a very bad play-fellow..for all I am so much bigger. a 1866 Keble Lett. Spirit. Counsel (1870) 185 For all she seemed so calm, she had often to bear up against the same kind of feelings. |
c. Indicating the presence or operation of an obstacle or hindrance. (Cf. ON. fyrer, Ger. für, vor.) In negative sentences; also after if it were not, were it not; occas. = for fear of. † for to die for it = if I die for it. but for: see but C. 29.
| Beowulf 2549 (Gr.) Ne meahte horde neah unbyrnende æniᵹe hwile deop ᵹedyᵹan for dracan leᵹe. c 1000 ælfric Gen. xvi. 10 Þæt man hit ᵹeriman ne mæᵹ for þære meniu. 1297 R. Glouc. (1724) 177 Hii mowe noȝt wel fle Vor feblesse of her brode. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xv. 282 Þat no man miȝte hym se for mosse and for leues. a 1430 Octouian 682 That wyf therst not say nay, For wordes ylle. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xii. 296, I shall never doo that, for to deye for it. a 1592 Greene Alphonsus (1861) 231 That you dare Not use your sword for staining of your hands. 1691 Ray Creation 213 Unhabitable for heat. 1744 Berkeley Let. to T. Prior 19 June Wks. 1871 IV. 298 Last night being unable to sleep for the heat. 1751 Affect. Narr. Wager 92 This was like, not seeing the Wood for Trees. 1810 Scott Lady of L. v. 858 Spare not for spoiling of thy steed. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. vi. xliii, At times she could not stand for the beating of her heart. |
† d. As a precaution against, or simply, against: (to beware) of; (to hinder, keep, prevent) from.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 122 Sone after mydnyght..In þe snowe for syght scho ȝede out in hir smok. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. ii. 230 Freres..for knowyng of comeres coped hym as a frere. a 1400–50 Alexander 285 Þat wald for hurte or for harme any hathill kepe. 1523 Fitzherb. Husb. §51 Se that they..holde his heed hye ynoughe for drownynge. 1561 Hollybush Hom. Apoth. 40 b, He must also beware for taking cold. 1590 Greene Poems Wks. (1861) 294 A hat of straw, like a swain, Shelter for the sun and rain. 1611 L. Barrey Ram. Alley i. ii, Ah, how light he treads, For dirting his silk stockings! 1703 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 205 That may hinder the Corner of the edge of the Chissel for coming at the Work. 1728 in Picton L'pool Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 88 To prevent..the constitution of it for being entirely subverted. |
VIII. Of correspondence or correlation.
24. Prefixed to the designation of a number or quantity to which another is stated to correspond in some different relation. (Cf. similar use of to.)
| 1399 Langl. Rich. Redeles ii. 42 For on þat ȝe merkyd ȝe missed ten schore Of homeliche hertis. 1583 T. Watson Centurie of Loue xcvii. (Arb.) 133 For eu'ry pleasure that in Loue is found, A thousand woes and more therein abound. 1674 N. Cox Gentl. Recreat. v. (1686) 6, I will undertake to shew any man Twenty other Horses lame..for one Hunter. 1724 De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 255 They were..twice our number in the whole; and their foot three for one. 1806–7 J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life (1826) vi. xxxvii, It contains..for one inch of lean four or five of stringy fat. 1887 L. Carroll Game of Logic i. §3. 32 For one workable Pair of Premisses..you will probably find five that lead to no Conclusion at all. |
25. Preceded and followed by the same n. (without article or defining word), in idiomatic expressions indicating equality in number or quantity between objects compared or contrasted. bulk for bulk: taking an equal bulk of each. word for word: with exact identity of expression, verbatim; similarly point for point. † day for day: on one day as on every other, hence = ‘day by day’. † to fight hand for hand: = ‘hand to hand’. to turn (something) end for end: to reverse.
| 13.. K. Alis. 2922 Word for word thus they spake. c 1386 Chaucer Clerk's T. 521 Of Grisildis wordes..He tolde him point for point. c 1450 Chester Pl. (E.E.T.S.) 256 Such marvayels..he ne dyd day for day. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 118 Dongard..curage had for to fecht hand for hand With Constantyne. 1606 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iv. viii. 22 A Braine that..can Get gole for gole of youth. 1692 Bentley Boyle Lect. iv. 116 Bulk for bulk heavier than a Fluid. 1759 Johnson Idler No. 69 ¶6 May, Sandys and Holiday, confined themselves to the toil of rendering line for line. a 1769 Regul. Sea-Serv. in Falconer Dict. Marine (1789) Kk iv b, If a foreign admiral..salutes them, he shall receive gun for gun. 1877 Daily News 10 Oct. 6/2 We turned the rope end for end. 1881 Jowett Thucyd. I. 168 The prisoners..were exchanged man for man. 1885 Manch. Exam. 15 May 5/3 They will not be slow to return him like for like. |
IX. Of reference.
26. a. As regards, with regard or respect to, concerning. Also in idiomatic expressions: † for the general, in general; † for so far, in so far; † for my mind, to my thinking; for my, his, etc. part (see part); for the rest (= F. du reste: see rest n.). † what for—; = ‘what with—’ (see what). as for: see as 33.
The parenthetic use, as in for me = as for me, for my part (= Fr. pour moi), is now obsolete.
| 1479 J. Paston in Paston Lett. No. 849 III. 267, I have myche to pay her in London, what for the funerall costes, dettes, and legattes that [etc.]. 1551 T. Wilson Logike (1580) 75 He is delivered from the lawe, for so muche as pertaineth to his condemnation, but he is not free, for so muche as belongeth to the due obedience, whiche he oweth unto God. 1590 Marlowe 2nd Pt. Tamburl. iv. i, For person like to prove a second Mars. 1628 Hobbes Thucyd. (1822) 99 This year..was of all other for other diseases most free. 1634 W. Wood New Eng. Prosp. i. iv, The Soyle is for the generall a warme kinde of earth. 1658 W. Burton Comm. Itin. Antoninus 176 For old Marinus, I know not how to excuse him. 1664–5 Pepys Diary 7 Apr., Sir Philip did shew me nakedly the king's condition for money. 1710 Berkeley Princ. Hum. Knowl. §111 For the rest, this celebrated author holds there is an absolute Space. 1740 Xmas Entertainm. iii. (1883–4) 21 All the Witches for my Mind are young Women. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. 466 Thus much..for the privileges and disabilities of infants. 1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 250 How he managed for water I could not learn. 1843 Fraser's Mag. XXVIII. 570 So much for our housemaid. 1852 R. S. Surtees Sponge's Sp. Tour (1893) 361 Get married and trust to Providence for the rest. |
b. So far as concerns (a person or thing). Used with a limiting or restrictive force (cf. 23). for all or aught I know, I know nothing to the contrary. (he may do it) for me, i.e. with no opposition from me.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 3206 (Cott.) ‘Fader’, he said, ‘be þou ful bald, For me sal it neuer be tald’. 1578 Timme Calvin on Gen. x. i. 238 Let them..for all me, inioy the fruite..of their labours. 1655 Hartlib Legacy 160 This Art, for what I can perceive, is no way demonstrable à priori. 1731 Pope Ep. to Burlington 138 Some are Vellum, and the rest as good For all his Lordship knows. 1767 S. Paterson Another Trav. I. 321 They shall have it untouched for me. 1809 J. Moser Don Quixote in Barcelona ii. v, [He] shall carry all the limbs he has got to heaven for me. 1837 Landor Pentam. Wks. 1846 II. 314/2 The banks of the Hebrus may be level or rocky, for what I know about them. 1890 Besant Demoniac vi, After the first month you ought to have come home again, for all the good it has done. 1893 Law Times XCIV. 559/2 The consideration was left blank, and for all I know it is blank still. |
c. with words signifying privation or want.
| 1653 tr. Carmeni's Nissena 75 He wanted for no care nor possible assistance. 1791 Cowper Retired Cat 73 With hunger pinched, and pinched for room. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. ix. 71 In..distress for money. 1804 J. Marshall Washington II. i. 38 The people..were in great distress for provisions, arms, and ammunition. 1855 Thackeray Rose & Ring i, He need want for nothing. |
d. for all the world: used to emphasize assertions of likeness.
(The lit. sense and proper place of this phrase are uncertain.)
| c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 218 For al the world ryght as a daysye Ycorouned ys with white leues lyte. 1602 Marston Ant. & Mel. i. Wks. 1856 I. 13 He..lookes For all the world like an ore-roasted pigge. 1753 Foote Eng. in Paris i. Wks. 1799 I. 38 Their water-gruel jaws, sunk in a thicket of curls, appear, for all the world, like a lark in a soup-dish! |
27. In proportion to, considering; considering the nature or capacity of; considering what he, she, or it is, or that he, etc. is so and so.
| [1594 Marlowe & Nashe Dido iv. iv, Aeneas, for his parentage, deserves As large a kingdom as is Lybia.] 1631 Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 536 This Lawier was a very honest man for those times. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 782 His Bulk too Weighty for his Thighs is grown. 1754 Richardson Grandison I. ii. 6 A man of an excellent character for a Lawyer. 1787 ‘G. Gambado’ Acad. Horsemen (1809) 29 Should your horse prove, what is properly termed too many for you. 1861 C. M. Yonge Stokesley Secret ii. (1862) 42 As poor a man for an esquire as her father was for a surgeon. 1886 Manch. Exam. 15 Mar. 5/4 The weather..phenomenally severe for the season. |
X. Of duration and extension.
28. a. Marking actual duration. During, throughout. Phr. for long, for a or the time.
| c 1450 Cov. Myst. 129 Who seyth oure ladyes sawtere dayly for a ȝer thus. 1506 Sir R. Guylforde Pilgr (Camden) 39 We..restyd vs for that nyght. 1564–78 W. Bullein Dial. agst. Pest. (1888) 10 His stewarde..applied the poore menne with the purse with muche deuotion for the tyme. 1602 Shakes. Ham. iii. i. 91 How does your Honor for this many a day? 1626 T. Ailesbury Passion-sermon 15 The Jewes for long were..the favourites of heaven. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 86 ¶2, I have seen an Eye curse for half an Hour together. a 1792 Bp. Horne Serm. (1799) III. 68 Reflect for a moment, on these two pictures of virtue and vice. 1843 Fraser's Mag. XXVIII. 334 The Brigand's Bride ran for many nights. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 166 The two great parties..had for a moment concurred. 1872 Liddon Elem. Relig. i. 34 Would he even be interested for long in a philosophy which he believed to be only relatively true? 1885 Law Rep. 15 Q. Bench Div. 316 The catch..was worn away, and probably had been so for months. |
b. Marking intended duration, e.g. for life; also in the phrases, for the or † this present, for a while. for ay, for ever: see ay 3 a, ever 5 b.
| 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. V (an. 4) 55 A peace was concluded..for a certain space. 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 8 Have you then for this present, your whole desire? 1632 J. Lee Short Surv. 53 For the present I let passe. 1636 N. Riding Rec. IV. 52 He shall enter bond for his good abeareing for a year. 1642 Protests Lords I. 11 Whether we shall adjourn for six months. 1692 E. Walker tr. Epictetus' Mor. (1737) xv, What bounteous God did for awhile afford. 1706 Acc. Soc. Propag. Gosp. 33 The Society..ordered fifty Pounds per annum to be ascertained to him for Three Years. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. viii, I resolved to sit down for all night. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 59 ¶6 He is always provided with a curacy for life. 1764 Sterne in Traill Life 87 About Christmas I..fix my head-quarters at London for the winter. 1847–9 Helps Friends in C. Ser. i. (1851) I. 101 If there were Peers for life..it would..meet most of your objections. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 156 Four thousand pounds a year for two lives. 1870 M. Bridgman R. Lynne II. v. 117, I sha'n't get up for another hour. 1885 Law Rep. 14 Q. Bench Div. 892 The driver..was practically placed at the disposal of the defendants for the day. |
29. for once, for the nonce: see once, nonce1.
30. Marking an amount of extension, esp. in space, lineal or superficial: Over, over the space of, to the extent of, through.
| 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 36 The River of Trent in the moneth of June flowed not for the space of a mile. 1605 Shakes. Lear ii. iv. 304 For many Miles about There's scarce a Bush. 1818 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 159 After travelling for five and twenty miles. 1863 Kingsley Water Bab. 9 Not only did he own all the land about for miles. 1885 Manch. Exam. 28 Sept. 5/3 When a..man has walked briskly even for a mile. |
† XI. 31. Misused for fro, from.
| c 1340 Cursor M. 13554 (Trin.) Anoon he had his siȝt For þenne was he no more led. c 1440 Partonope 2260 Sorno⁓goure swerde for the arson reft. c 1440 York Myst. xxx. 222 He bese hurled for þe highnes he haunted. 1540 Act 32 Hen. VIII, c. 42 §1 All personnes of the said company..shalbe exempt for bearing of armure. |
B. conj.
† 1. Introducing the cause of a fact, the statement of which precedes or follows: Because. Cf. A. 21 b. Obs. exc. arch.
| a 1200 tr. Alcuin's Virt. & V. 115 in Anglia XI. 376 We sculen fleon þa unðeawes, na þa mænn sylfe..for heo synd godes gesceafte. c 1205 Lay. 148 Eneam he..biheyte..al his drihliche lond for he nefde nenne sune. 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 6807 Þus for þai did ay ogayns Goddes lawe, Vermyn and wode bestes sal þam ay gnawe. c 1435 Torr. Portugal 1333 For sir Torent the fend did fall, Gret lordys honoured hym all. 1450–1530 Myrr. our Ladye 11 And for god made all thinges in syx dayes..therfore, etc. 1600 Fairfax Tasso ii. xix, Nor for he sweld with ire was she affraid. 1604 Shakes. Oth. iii. iv. 161 They are..iealious for they're iealious. 1691 Dryden K. Arthur i. ii. Wks. 1884 VIII. 148 Why comes not he?..For he's a puling sprite. 1799 A. Seward Sonn. xlix, In balance true Weigh it, but smile at the objections vain Of sickly Spirits, hating for they do. 1872 Tennyson Gareth & Lynette 386 And, for himself was of the greater state..he trusted his liege-lord Would yield him this large honour all the more. |
2. a. Introducing the ground or reason for something previously said: Seeing that, since. Cf. Gr. γάρ, L. nam or enim, Fr. car, Ger. denn.
| c 1150 Serm. in Kluge Ags. Lesebuch 71 Hwu sceal þiss ᵹewurðen, for ic necann naht of weres ᵹemane. 1154 O.E. Chron. an. 1135 On þis kinges time wes al unfrið..for agenes him risen sone þa rice men. c 1200 Ormin 119 And teȝȝ wærenn..Rihhtwise menn..Forr eȝȝþerr here ȝede..Rihht affter Godess lare. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 219 Ffore he was demyde þe doughtyeste þat duellyde in erthe. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxliv. (1482) 298 Nowe is good tyme For al Englond praith for vs. 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 25 For xij. tymes 30. maketh 360. a 1613 Overbury A Wife (1638) 202 A churchman she dare not venture upon; for she hath heard widowes complain of dilapidations. 1664 Tillotson Wisd. being Relig. 59 Just such is he who for fear of any thing in this world ventures to grieve God; for in so doing he runs away from men and falls into the hands of the living God. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. iii, Near a fortnight had passed before [etc.]..for premature consolation is but the remembrancer of sorrow. 1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 806 This oil or resinous-like body contains phosphorus; for..we find phosphoric acid in the residue. 1883 Manch. Guard. 22 Oct. 5/3 This is no party question, for it touches us not as Liberals or Conservatives, but as citizens. |
b. Introducing a detailed proof.
| 1570 Billingsley Euclid i. xi, For forasmuch as DC is equal to CE, and [etc.] therefore [etc.]. 1812–16 J. Smith Panorama Sc. & Art I. 588 For, let there be three bodies at H, O, and D; if [etc.]. 1840 Lardner Geom. 106 For from the point B draw B D perpendicular to [etc.]. |
3. = whether in an obj. sentence. Obs. rare.
| c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 2651 We sulen nu witen for it dede ðis witterlike, or in child-hede. c 1394 P. Pl. Crede 350 Woldest þou me tellen For þei ben..syker on to trosten, y wolde quyten þe þi mede. |
† 4. In order that. Cf. A. 8. Obs.
| c 1305 St. Katherine 171 in E.E.P. (1862) 94 Noman ne ȝaf hire mete ne drinke: for heo scholde for hunger deye. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 907 Þay..byndeþ þer-wiþ is eȝene about; for he ne schold noȝt sene. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 4753 For þair trauail sulde noȝt be waste. 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, iii. i. 9 And for the time shall not seeme tedious Ile tell thee what [etc.]. |
† 5. for and: = ‘and moreover’. Obs.
| a 1529 Skelton Agst. Garnesche 22 Syr Gawen, Syr Cayus, for and Syr Olyuere. 1605 Shakes. Ham. v. i. 103 A Pickhaxe and a Spade, a Spade for and a shrowding-Sheete. 1617 Middleton Fair Quarrel v. i. Wks. (Dyce) III. 544 Chough [sings] A hippocrene, a tweak, for and a fucus. |