| 释义 |
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 ðý 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. a1000Cædmon's Gen. 2108 (Gr.) For þæs eaᵹum, þe þe æsca tir æt guþe forᵹeaf! a1300Cursor M. 10497 (Cott.) Sco sagh þat angel for hir stand. 1601Shakes. 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. c1175Lamb. 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.
c1230Hali Meid. 25 For gode hit is wlateful þing for te þenke þron. c1380Sir Ferumb. 2564 My prayer ys now ido. For gode..so ys myn al-so. c1420Chron. Vilod. 838 Ȝeysse for God, quod þe knyȝt, dede he was.
d. Into the presence of.
a1000Cædmon's Gen. 871 (Gr.) Ne dear nu forð gan for þe andweardne. a1300Cursor 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.)
a1000Leg. Fursæus in Rel. Ant. I. 276 Ic wat þone man on Criste, þe wæs ᵹe-gripen nu for feowertyne ᵹearum. c1200Ormin 3076 Itt wass forr maniȝ daȝȝ ær cwidded þurrh prophetess. Ibid. 6996 Forrlange. a1225Ancr. R. 22 Bute ȝif hit beo holiniht vor þe feste. a1300Cursor M. 10716 (Cott.) Þe propheci Was said for lang of ysai.
3. In preference to, above; = before 11.
c1000Rood 93 (Gr.) He his modor..for ealle menn ᵹeweorðode ofer eall wifa cynn. c1205Lay. 13919 Ah for alle ure goden deore..Woden hehde þa hæhste laȝe. c1300Beket 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! 1486–1504Let. 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.
a1000Guthlac 171 (Gr.) Se for ealle spræc feonda mengu. a1225Leg. Kath. 952 An, for ham alle, Onswerede ant seide. 1414Rolls of Parlt. IV. 22/2 Youre humble and trewe lieges that ben come for the Co[mmun]e of youre lond. 1582N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. v. 14 b, Their Xeque..which was there for the king. 1842Macaulay Ess. (1848) II. 187 The members for many counties and large towns. 1843Fraser's Mag. XXVIII. 334 Walker returned thanks for his lady. 1891Law 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.
1611Shakes. Cymb. ii. iii. 111 Learne now, for all, That I [etc.]. 1820J. S. Knowles Virginius ii. ii, Now, once for all, farewell! 1881Bible (Revised) Hebr. vii. 27 For this he did once for all [1611: once], when he offered up himself.
5. In place of, instead of.
c1000Ags. Gosp. Matt. ii. 22 He ᵹehyrde þæt archelaus rixode on iudea-þeode for ðæne herodem. a1300Cursor M. 9972 (Cott.) Maria..stondes vs for sceild and targe, Agains all ure wiþerwyns. c1400Mandeville (Roxb.) vi. 19 He died..and his broþer regned for him. 1553T. Wilson Rhet. (1580) 223 Some..will saye..Blacke Vellet, for blacke Veluet. 1611Bible Luke xi. 11 Will he for a fish giue him a serpent? 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. i. 10 Bacchus and..Ceres..gave us Corn for Mast, for Water Wine. 1742Young Nt. Th. i. 14 'Tis only change of pain..Severer for severe. 1802M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. 248 She could not..write..the count had written all that was wanting for her. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 208 For the old test..was substituted a new test. 1895Lake 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.
c1000Ags. Gosp. Matt. v. 38 Eaᵹe for eaᵹe and toð for toð. c1175Lamb. Hom. 9 Nouþer gold ne seoluer ne moste gan for þe. c1200Ormin Ded. 143, I shall hafenn forr min swinnc God læn. c1330R. Brunne Chron. (1725) I. 174 Men gaf fiueten schillynges for a goos or a heen. 1542MS. Acc. St. John's Hosp., Canterb., To Nycholes for the byllet for the schyr and hys costis xv s. 1789Durnford & East Reports III. 467 The right of a seller to his goods, where he cannot receive payment for them. 1895Bookman 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.
c1000Ags. Ps. xxxiv. [xxxv]. 14 (Spelman) Aguldon me yfelu for godum. 1583Holiband Campo di Fior 107 That she giue vs something for our paines. 1677Plot Oxfordsh. 151 Being found to yield considerably better than most other wheat, viz. somtimes twenty for one. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 221 Describe we next the Nature of the Bees, Bestow'd by Jove for secret Services. 1818M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 209 A full punishment for all his misdeeds. 1885Bowen in Law Rep. 14 Q. Bench Div. 869 Counsel..who should take nothing for their services. 1895A. 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.
c1000ælfric Exod. xiv. 14 And Drihten fiht for eow. c1175Lamb. Hom. 7 Heo sculen..bidden for heom. c1380Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 363 How shulde men fiȝte for a persone þat þei witen not [etc.]? 1550Crowley Epigr. 204 Where euerye man is for him selfe, And no manne for all. 1599Shakes. Much Ado ii. i. 386 My Lord, I am for you, though it cost mee ten nights watchings. 1676Hobbes Iliad Pref. (1686) 9 Homer indeed maketh some Gods for the Greeks and some for the Trojans. 1690Locke Govt. ii. vi, Blinded contenders for monarchy. 1711Steele Spect. No. 118 ⁋3 Take my Word for it she is no Fool. 1743Bulkeley & Cummins Voy. S. Seas Ded. 8 The Right Honourable Persons who will one Day determine for or against us. 1795Hist. in Ann. Reg. 82 Fortune declared at last for the convention. 1847–9Helps Friends in C. Ser. i. (1851) I. 177 You argue for it in vain. 1885Cotton 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.
1664Butler Hud. ii. ii. 604 Did ride..Crying, hey, for our town through the burrough. 1835Lytton 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.).
1800H. Wells Const. Neville I. 7 Louisa..had been named for the mother of Mr. Hayman. 1820J. S. Knowles Virginius i. i, Cheer for him, if you are Romans. 1826W. 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.’ 1863Hawthorne 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’.
c1815Jane Austen Persuasion II. 185, I was privy to all the fors and againsts, I was the friend to whom he confided his hopes. 1892Temple 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. c1000Ags. Gosp. John xi. 4 Nys þeos untrumnys na for deaðe ac for godes wuldre. 1340Hampole Pr. Consc. 2889 For warnyng of frendes þat lyefes. c1489Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xxiv. 505, I byleve that god hathe sente theym to vs for our savynge. 1523Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cxxx. 159 The Englyshmen neuer departed fro their batayls for chasynge of any man. a1654Selden Table-T. (Arb.) 82 The individual person set apart for the service of such a Church. 1719De Foe Crusoe i. vi, I left the iron crow in the wreck for next day. 1838Thirlwall Greece III. xix. 95 [He] set sail..for the relief of Epidamnus. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 615 A considerable number of prisoners were immediately selected for execution. 1887L. Carroll Game of Logic ii. §6. 50, I have been out for a walk. 1891Law Times XC. 283/1 An order was made..for the payment of the balance to the plaintiff. 1900Athenæum 5 May 545/1 The Annual Dinner of the Society will take place on Wednesday, May 16..at 7, for 7.30 p.m. 1929E. Wallace Iron Grip viii, You can please yourself about accepting..No. 109 Grosvenor Place, and the hour is 7.30 for 8. 1970J. Burke Four Stars for Danger iii. 49 ‘Seven-thirty,’ he was saying, ‘for eight. Right?’
b. For the purpose of being or becoming.
c1489Caxton Sonnes of Aymon ix. 210 Berynge in theyr handes flowres and roses for a token. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 253 Whom to reserve for Husband of the Herd. 1741tr. Fortunate Country Maid I. 13 He shall hear Reason; or, Waunds, I'll go for a Soldier. 1852Dickens Bleak Ho. vii, [He] went for a soldier, and never came back. 1885G. Allen Babylon xiv, I'm going to leave my place..and go for a pupil-teacher.
c. Conducive to.
a1553Udall Royster D. i. i. (Arb.) 12 To keepe the Queenes peace is more for his behoofe. 1664Tillotson Wisd. being Relig. 31 It is for the general good of humane society. c1710C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 128 The Bishop does not care to stay long in this place not being for his health. 1791Boswell Johnson Advt., Such remarks as were greatly for the advantage of the work. 1843Fraser'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.
1884Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 6 Sept. Advt., Baltimore Ware⁓house for Rent. 1889Century Mag. Aug. 590/2 The last time I saw it, it was for rent. 1938R. 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. 1965K. 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.
c1230Hali Meid. 9 Þat sið þat tu eauer dides te into swuch þeowdom for worldliche wunne. c1300Havelok 788 Hauelok was war þat Grim swank sore For his mete, and he lay at hom. c1450Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.) 11 Naye, Lorde, that will we not indeede For nothinge treasspass unto thee. 1611Bible Prov. xxviii. 21 For a piece of bread that man will transgresse. 1657W. Rand tr. Gassendi's Life Peiresc i. 25 He would not for any thing but be present at the Solemnity to behold the same. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 620 Weary Proteus..Retir'd for Shelter to his wonted Caves. 1728Young Love Fame i. 50 What will not men attempt for sacred praise? 1806–7J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life (1826) v. xix, After having fee'd very high for places at Mrs. Siddons's benefit. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 84 To bring a suit for this sum in the Court of King's Bench. 1864Holme Lee In Silver Age (1866) 403, I would not for the world hurt his feelings. 1883Manch. Exam. 27 Nov. 5/5 The drawers..struck work for an advance of wages. 1891Newcastle 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.
a1225Juliana 16 For mi lif quoð hire feder þe schal laðin his luue for þu schalt beon ibeaten [etc.]. a1553Udall Royster D. i. i. (Arb.) 12, I haue yond espied hym sadly comming, And in loue for twentie pounde, by hys glommyng. 1596Shakes. 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. 1836Southey in Q. Rev. LVII. 10 Major Beltran..had a narrow escape for his life. 1849Macaulay 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.
a1250Owl & Night. 1078 He ne mihte for his live Iseo þat man wiþ hire speke. 1576Fleming Panopl. Epist. 52 He had never had the audacitie and boldnesse for his hart, to set one foote forward into Syria. 1596Shakes. 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. 1711Addison Spect. No. 85 ⁋1, I cannot for my Heart leave a Room, before I have studied [etc.]. 1786Mackenzie Lounger No. 56. 197 A great many other things..which I can't do for the heart of me. a1806H. 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]. 1813Byron Giaour 250 Away, away, for life he rides. 1831L. E. Landon Romance & Reality (1848) 354 We must row for our lives. 1843Blackw. Mag. LIV. 742, I could not resist a smile for the life of me. 1848Dickens Dombey xix, Walter, for his life, would have hardly called her by her name. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 131 Charles fled for his life. 1887Times 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.
1592Shakes. Rom. & Jul. ii. ii. 159 O for a Falkners voice, To lure this Tassell gentle back againe. 1602Marston Antonio's Rev. v. i. Wks. 1856 I. 133 O for a fat leg of ewe mutton! 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 300 Such a Zeal they have for flow'ry Sweets. 1709Steele Tatler No. 30. ⁋5 Now for Colonel Constant's Epistle. 1834Medwin Angler in Wales I. 37 Now for a cigar and Charters. 1842Macaulay 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.
a1175Cott. Hom. 221 Forte don him understonden. a1200Moral Ode 180 Ne brekeþ ne ure drihte hellegate for lesen hi of bende. c1200Ormin 1006 All þeȝȝre lac wass swillc & swillc, Forr oþerr þing to tacnenn. c1205Lay. 13307 Ich æm icumen þe þus næh for muchelere neode for suggen þe tiðende. 1297R. Glouc. (1724) 25 He bi gan to schake ys axe, for to smyte anon. c1400Lanfranc's Cirurg. 53 For to clense þe wounde use þe medicyn of mel roset. c1485Digby Myst. iv. 528 What can þou saye, Thy-self for till excuse? 1535Coverdale Prov. xxviii. 20 He..maketh to moch haist for to be riche. 1578–1600Scot. Poems 16th C. II. 162 For till obscure thy light. 1688R. Holme Armoury ii. 86/1 A Billet is a piece of Cleft Wood for to Burn. 1748G. Washington Jrnl. 8 Apr., Writ. 1889 I. 6 You must ride round y⊇ back of y⊇ Mountain for to get below them. 1774A. 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.
a1225Ancr. R. 54 Þe eppel þæt ich loke on is forbode me to etene, & nout forto biholden. c1305St. Swithin 14 in E.E.P. (1862) 43 Seint swythin..swiþe ȝung bigan Forto seruie ihesu crist. c1340Cursor M. 717 (Fairf.) Satanas..þoȝt þat ioy for-til stynt. 1397Rolls 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. 1523Ld. 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. 1659D. Pell Impr. Sea 328 note, Blustring winds..make the Seas for to rage and roar. 1674tr. 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.
c1489Caxton Sonnes of Aymon i. 36 She asked whi they were departed for the kynges courte. 1595Shakes. John iii. iii. 71 For England Cosen, goe. 1595Drake Will in Wills Doctor's Com. (Camden) 77 Her Majesties fleete nowe in service for the west Indyes. 1646Markham Let. in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 2 [I am] most certainly informed that hee is at Newcastle and intends for France. 1660–1Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872–5 II. 43 Mr. Mabbot is, shortly to goe for Ireland. 1704Addison Italy Wks. 1804 V. 149 We sailed from hence directly for Genoa. 1706–7Farquhar Beaux Strat. ii. i. Wks. (1742) 17 Are you for church this morning? 1719De Foe Capt. Singleton xviii, We steered directly for the gulf. 1724― Mem. Cavalier (1840) 285 We resolved for Newark. 1763Wesley 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. 1820Keats St. Agnes i, His frosted breath..seem'd taking flight for heaven without a death. 1838Thirlwall Greece II. 296 The Persian army was in full march for Athens. 1865Kingsley Herew. (1884) 251 They rowed away for Crowland. 1879Church Spenser i. 9 Spenser was sixteen or seventeen when he left school for the University. 1883Law Times Rep. XLIX. 332/2 The Clan Sinclair..headed for the Margaret. 1885Manch. Exam. 12 Mar. 4/6 Lord Reay left London yesterday for India.
b. transf. of time.
1885Truth 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.
1411Rolls of Parlt. III. 650/1 Certein Commune of Pasture..whiche the said Lord..claymes for hymself and his tenantz. 1551Turner Herbal i. F v b, Byrche..is good to make..twygges for baskettes. 1585T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. xxi. 27 Were set up 2 faire pavillions, the one for him..the other for the Ambassador. 1591Shakes. Two Gent. ii. i. 131 Val. Madam, they are for you. 1636Massinger Bashf. Lover v. i, Your bottles too, that I carry For your own tooth? 1660Act 12 Chas. II c. 4 Sched. s.v. Boxes, French boxes for Marmelade or Gelly. 1759Johnson Idler No. 42 ⁋2 The Idler holds the shield for virtue, as well as the glass for folly. 1835–6Todd Cycl. Anat. I. 518/1 For this group of animals M. D'Haan has proposed the name of Asiphonoidia. 1839C. Sinclair Holiday House xii. 281 He bought gowns for all the maids. 1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 20 He had..secured for himself a place in history. 1861M. 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.
c1400Mandeville (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. c1450Cov. Myst. 318 We xal asay Yf the cros for the be mete. 1548Hall 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. 1582N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. ii. 5 To put himselfe in a readinesse for that voiage. 1674N. Cox Gentl. Recreat. iii. (1677) 62 Fitter for a large Inne than a Lady's Chamber. 1722De Foe Plague (1754) 9 Loaded with Baggage and fitted out for travelling. 1764Foote Patron ii. Wks. 1799 I. 349 Robinson Crusoe is advertis'd for this evening. 1789Blake Songs Innoc., Echoing Green iii, Many sisters and brothers, Like birds in their nest, Are ready for rest. 1815Jane Austen Emma (1849) 31 Very fit for a wife, but not at all for a governess. 1838Thirlwall Greece III. xxii. 247 Quite sufficient for his purpose. 1840Ibid. VII. 283 Seleucus, reflecting on Pithon's fate, augured that which was designed for himself. 1840P. 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.
1803–6Wordsworth Ode, Int. Immortality, Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears. 1832Westm. 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.
c1350Will. Palerne 294 Clothed in comly cloþing for any kinges sone. 1486Bk. St. Albans D iij b, That hauke is for a Baron. 1583Holiband Campo di Fior 55, I will rather have him. He is for me. 1663Pepys Diary 27 Apr., He is not for my family, he is grown so out of order and not to be ruled. 1669Sturmy Mariner's Mag. v. 64 Sea-Carriages are made less, as the Block-maker that makes them hath Rules for. 1711Addison Spect. No. 297 ⁋6 By no means a match for his enemies. 1748Richardson Clarissa (1811) III. 198, I have nothing for it..but matrimony. 1818M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 250 The sheets, a term for various ropes. 1840P. Parley's Ann. 55 Do you know it is time for school? 1845M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 4 The momentous questions which have interest only for noble minds. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 223 Lauderdale..still continued to be minister for Scotch affairs. 1850Carlyle Latter-d. Pamph. i. 37, I fear she is not long for this world! 1874G. W. Dasent Half a Life I. 196 There was nothing for it but to grin and bear it. 1885Manch. Exam. 22 Sept. 5/3 The old law making hanging the inevitable penalty for murder. 1886Ibid. 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.
1611Bible Prov. xxxi. 4 It is not for kings to drinke wine. 1819Corbett Eng. Gram. xvii. §193 It is for the guilty to live in fear. 1885Bowen 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.
1909Captain 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’. 1915War 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. 1917P. MacGill Brown Brethren iv. 68 If Captain Thorley finds 'im missin' he'll be for it. 1919Athenæum 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’. 1926Punch 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]. 1940War 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).
1776Trial of Nundocomar 23/2 Bollakey Doss drew a draught on Benares..for a lack of rupees. 1857Hughes Tom Brown ii. viii., The Lord's men were out by half-past twelve o'clock for ninety-eight runs. 1885L'pool Daily Post 1 June 5/4 The University men were all out for 44. 1886Stevenson Dr. Jekyll i. (ed. 2) 8 The signature was good for more than that. 1887A. 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.
a1000Cynewulf Crist (Gollancz) 1423 Ic þæt for worulde ᵹebolade. c1205Lay. 62 Þæt he þeos soðfeste word segge..for his fader saule. a1225Ancr. R. 22 Þe uormest viue [Psalmes] uor ou sulf & for alle þet ou god doð. 1340Ayenb. 1 Þin holy blod þet þou sseddest ane þe rod uor me and uor mankende. 1605Shakes. Macb. iii. i. 65 If't be so For Banquo's Issue haue I fil'd my Minde. c1630Milton Passion 12 Dangers..Which he for us did freely undergo. 1631Gouge God's Arrows v. Ded. 406 Leave me not to shift for my selfe. 1674tr. Scheffer's Lapland 118 If he sees convenient he may set up for himself. 1816Byron Parisina iii, They only for each other breathe.
b. ironically.
1740Xmas Entertainm. ii. (1883–4) 12, I will swinge his Jacket for him. 1855Smedley 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.
1537Bible (Matthew) Ps. cxviii. [cxix]. 71 It is good for me that I haue bene in trouble. 1632J. Lee Short Surv. 7 Grain, butter, cheese, and such other commodities usefull for the life of man. 1883Daily News 22 Sept. 4/6 This..bodes ill for the peace of Europe. 1891Sir. 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).
1508Fisher 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. 1548Hall Chron., Hen. V, (an. 7) 65 b, A tent of purple velvet for the counsailers to mete in. 1582N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. vi. 16 It was verye needefull and necessarye for him to take a Pilot. 1621R. Brathwait Nat. Embass. Ded. (1641) A ij, It is high time for the Satyrist to pen somthing which may [etc.]. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 219, I must forsake This Task; for others afterwards to take. 1777Watson 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. 1818M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 220 For a man who had such good blood to part with it so wantonly was a shame. 1843Frasers Mag. XXVIII. 713 What a condition for me to come to! 1883Law Times 20 Oct. 408/1 The new rules..render it more difficult for a defence to be kept up. 1896M. 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.
1757Foote 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. c1000ælfric Deut. xxxi. 20 And tellaþ min wedd for naht. c1200Ormin 387 Þatt mann hemm hallt forr gode menn. 1297R. Glouc. (1724) 142 Þis word was for dom yholde. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B xv. 578 Ȝit knewe þei cryst..For a parfit prophete. c1400Lanfranc's Cirurg. 110 Þer ben but .vj. boonys whanne þat þou rekenest os coronale for oon boon. a1533Ld. Berners Huon lxxxiv. 265 Know for trouth that..god loueth fayth. a1553Udall Royster D. iii. iii. (Arb.) 44 He vaunteth him selfe for a man of prowesse greate. 1568Grafton Chron., Hen. V, (an. 2) II. 446 The Englishe Ambassadours receyving this for aunswere, tooke their leave. 1644Evelyn Mem. (1857) I. 78 Celebrated in France for the best in the kingdom. 1711Addison Spect. No. 169 ⁋11 Ill-nature among ordinary Observers passes for Wit. 1719De Foe Crusoe ii. xi, You will be hanged for a pirate. 1725Watts Logic ii. iii. §1 We mistake his Blunders for Beauties. 1760Foote Minor i. Wks. 1799 I. 239, I wou'd engage to elude your penetration, when I am beau'd out for the baron. 1813Byron Giaour 37 A grotto..That holds the pirate for a guest. 1818M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 40 That distance went for nothing. 1843Fraser's Mag. XXVIII. 702, I know for a fact that a courier was waiting. 1845M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 5 Mere chronology..is often mistaken for history. 1883Stevenson 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.
c1460Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. xi. (1885) 136, I holde it for vndouted, þat [etc.]. 1549Bk. Com. Prayer Matrimony, I..take thee..to my wedded wife..for better for worse. 1651Baxter Inf. Bapt. 49 In the mean time I take it for granted. 1681Cotton Wond. Peak 69 At the bottom he was left for dead. 1700Dryden Pal. & Arc. iii. 704 He quivered with his feet, and lay for dead. 1732Berkeley Alciphr. vi. §30 Admitted for morally certain. 1802M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. 208 L's friends..gave the man up for lost. 1854Patmore 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.
1580Spenser Shep. Cal. iv. 17 What is he for a Ladde you so lament? 1623Bingham Xenophon 136 When the Lacedemonians enquired, what Xenophon was for a man, he answered, that [etc.]. 1657W. Rand tr. Gassendi's Life Peiresc ii. 265 Consider..how many, and what for Epistles he sent to this very City. 1708Brit. Apollo No. 63. 3/2 What are you for a Lover. a1757Cibber Comical Lovers 1, What is she for a Woman? 1827Scott 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.
1719De 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. 1880Scribner'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.
1730A. Gordon Maffei's Amphith. 68 The Romans were for the first time forbid such Games. 1788Gibbon Decl. & F. lxvi. VI. 431 note, He [Aldus] printed above sixty considerable works of Greek literature, almost all for the first time. 1818M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 177 There was a shower of rain for the first time since my arrival. 1863Trafford World in Ch. III. 253 Is he a man likely to fall in love for a second time? 1875Jowett 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.
1887in Amer. Speech (1950) XXV. 39/2 When a for-true doctor come to see him. 1900, etc. [see fair n.2 1 c]. 1942in Wentworth Amer. Dial. Dict. (1944) 228/1 Railroads don't haul trash for free. 1943Amer. Speech XVIII. 47 It might be reasonable to assume that ‘for free’ results from the confusion of ‘free’ and ‘for nothing’. 1954W. M. Miller Conditionally Human (1963) 72 Don't worry, Richard. This time it's for real. 1957New Yorker 21 Sept. 33/2 He said psychiatrists had been enthusiastic, patents have been applied for, and it's for real. 1957G. Smith Friends 147 Back home we pay if we're ill... You don't expect to be ill for free. 1958K. Amis I like it Here xi. 133 Bowen tried to buy some drinks, conscious of having been fed and made drunk for free. 1960J. 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. a1123O.E. Chron. an. 1101 For heoran agenan mycelan unᵹetrywþan. c1175Lamb. Hom. 17 He..ȝef us seodðan ane muchele ȝef for his muchele eadmodnesse. 1297R. Glouc. (1724) 58 He by gan hym by þenche, And hys wraþþe toward þe kyng, for drede of þe erl, quenche. c1380Antecrist in Todd 3 Treat. Wyclif 152 How may þei seie for shame þat þei folowen Crist truly? c1440Jacob's Well 72 Boldere to synne for trust of þe mercy of god. 1580Sidney Arcadia ii. xvi. 172 Like the poore childe, whose father, while he beates him, will make him beleeue it is for loue. 1725De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 305 Our men raised a shout for joy. 1802Noble Wanderers II. 32 Arsaces, panting for rage, had already grasped his poniard. 1827Southey 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.
1847Marryat Childr. N. Forest v, Take your guns too, for fear of accident.
21. Because of, on account of:
a. a person or persons.
c1000ælfric Gen. xx. 3 Þu scealt sweltan nu Abimeleh for þam wife þe þu name. c1205Lay. 14458 Þin hired þe hateð for me & ich æm iuæid for þe. 13..K. Alis. 2318 Al Pierce for him sorwith, y-wis. 1382Wyclif Ps. xxvi. 11 Dresse me in a riȝt path for myn enemys. 1549Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 62 The cause was for them that rose in Essex. 1605Shakes. Lear ii. iv. 55 Thou shalt have as many dolours for thy daughters. 1819Cobbett 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.
c1000ælfric Exod. xviii. 9 Þa wæs Iethro bliþe for eallum þam godum þe Drihten dyde Israhela folce. c1175Lamb. Hom. 17 Þine frond þu luuest for þam goddede þe he þe deð. 1297R. Glouc. (1724) 113 Ac for ȝoure coming ich am glad. c1380Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 25 Þei shulden not be aferd for perillis. 1483Caxton G. de la Tour D iij, The one is prowde for his scyence. 1631Gouge God's Arrows iv. xii. 390 Faith herein will make us thankfull for all manner of prosperity. 1704Addison Italy Wks. 1804 V. 149 The gulf..is..remarkable for tempests. 1802M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. 225 A mother respected..for her feminine virtues. 1849Macaulay 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’.
a1553Philpot 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.
a1000Cædmon's Gen. 2472 (Gr.) Þa ic for god wille ᵹemund⁓byrdan. c1000Rood 113 (Gr.) Se þe for dryhtnes naman deaðes wolde..onbyriᵹan. a1200Moral Ode 23 Þe him solue forȝet for wiue ne for childe. c1205Lay. 13223 Ich bad hine for gode don þat child of hade. 1393Langl. P. Pl. C. iii. 170 To be maried for monye mede hath a-sented. a1450St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 981, I leeue þe proloug for shortnes. 1697Dryden Virg. Past. x. 35 Lycoris..for thy Rival tempts the raging Sea. 1697Ken 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.
a1000Boeth. Metr. i. 128 He..hi for Drihtne bæd..þæt hi [etc.]. c1205Lay. 57 Nu bidded Laȝamon alcne æðele mon for þene almiten godd..þet he [etc.]. c1325Coer de L. 1782 Mercy, Richard, for Mary maid! 1393Langl. P. Pl. C. ii. 54 Ich fraynede hure faire þo, for hym þat hure made. c1460Towneley Myst. (Surtees) 210 Alas! for my master..That yester even..Before Caiphas was broght. 1593Shakes. Rich. II, v. ii. 75 Heauen for his mercy: what treachery is heere? 1609Bible (Douay) Joel i. 15 Crie ye to our Lord: A a a, for the day. 1741Richardson Pamela I. 81 But I have not found it so, Alas for me. 1820Byron Blues ii. 64 Lady Blueb. Oh fie! Miss Lil. And for shame! 1820Keats Lamia 271 For pity do not melt! 1844Dickens 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.
c1205Lay. 27818 Þa eorðe gon beouien for þan vnimete blase. c1370Robt. K. Cicyle 55 Bettur he were..So to do then for hunger dye. c1380Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 349 Scarioth was þe worse for beyng in þis holi cumpanye. c1400Lanfranc's Cirurg. 101 & þou fyndest a man havynge þe crampe for a wounde. 1491Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) i. xl. A a, For the grete hete of the sonne She hadde the febres or axes. 1512Act 4 Hen. VIII, c. 11 For defaute of such issue to remaigne to oure Soveraigne Lorde. 1548Hall Chron., Hen. IV, (an. 1), To die for thirst standyng in the river. 1578Cooper Thesaurus s.v. Vetustas, He lacketh teeth for age. 1641J. Jackson True Evang. T. ii. 121 For the abundance of milk she [the cow] did give, the owner might eate butter. 1718F. Hutchinson Witchcraft Ded. (1720) 11 Her chin and her knees meeting for Age. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. xxviii, In this very room a debtor of his..died for want. 1850Lynch Theo. Trin. v. 84 Shall we be the brighter spirits for being the duller men? 1887A. 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. c1320Seuyn Sag. (W.) 1135 For al that heuer he mighte do, His menesoun might nowt staunche tho. c1386Chaucer Doctor's T. 129 This mayde shal be myn, for any man. c1430Syr Gener. 8058 Loue him she wold for ony drede. 1548Hall Chron., Hen. V, (an. 4) 53 But for all that he could do, he lost almoste ccc of his fote⁓men. 1681H. More Exp. Dan. iii. 68 This Alexander the Great for all his greatness died. 1794Burns For a' that i, The rank is but the guinea stamp; The man's the gowd for a' that. 1820Keats St. Agnes i, The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold. 1871Rossetti Poems, Last Confess., I was a moody comrade to her then, For all the love I bore her. 1873F. 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.
1523Ld. 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. 1588Marprel. Epist. (Arb.) 21, I tell you D. Stannop (for all you are so proude). 1682Bunyan Holy War 24 [Conscience]..(for all he was now so debauched), did terrifie..them sore. 1786Mackenzie in Lounger No. 90 ⁋7 For all her feelings are so fine. 1841L. Hunt Seer (1864) 40, I am not a very bad play-fellow..for all I am so much bigger. a1866Keble 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. c1000ælfric Gen. xvi. 10 Þæt man hit ᵹeriman ne mæᵹ for þære meniu. 1297R. Glouc. (1724) 177 Hii mowe noȝt wel fle Vor feblesse of her brode. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. xv. 282 Þat no man miȝte hym se for mosse and for leues. a1430Octouian 682 That wyf therst not say nay, For wordes ylle. c1489Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xii. 296, I shall never doo that, for to deye for it. a1592Greene Alphonsus (1861) 231 That you dare Not use your sword for staining of your hands. 1691Ray Creation 213 Unhabitable for heat. 1744Berkeley Let. to T. Prior 19 June Wks. 1871 IV. 298 Last night being unable to sleep for the heat. 1751Affect. Narr. Wager 92 This was like, not seeing the Wood for Trees. 1810Scott Lady of L. v. 858 Spare not for spoiling of thy steed. 1876Geo. 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.
c1330R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 122 Sone after mydnyght..In þe snowe for syght scho ȝede out in hir smok. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. ii. 230 Freres..for knowyng of comeres coped hym as a frere. a1400–50Alexander 285 Þat wald for hurte or for harme any hathill kepe. 1523Fitzherb. Husb. §51 Se that they..holde his heed hye ynoughe for drownynge. 1561Hollybush Hom. Apoth. 40 b, He must also beware for taking cold. 1590Greene Poems Wks. (1861) 294 A hat of straw, like a swain, Shelter for the sun and rain. 1611L. Barrey Ram. Alley i. ii, Ah, how light he treads, For dirting his silk stockings! 1703Moxon Mech. Exerc. 205 That may hinder the Corner of the edge of the Chissel for coming at the Work. 1728in 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.)
1399Langl. Rich. Redeles ii. 42 For on þat ȝe merkyd ȝe missed ten schore Of homeliche hertis. 1583T. Watson Centurie of Loue xcvii. (Arb.) 133 For eu'ry pleasure that in Loue is found, A thousand woes and more therein abound. 1674N. Cox Gentl. Recreat. v. (1686) 6, I will undertake to shew any man Twenty other Horses lame..for one Hunter. 1724De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 255 They were..twice our number in the whole; and their foot three for one. 1806–7J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life (1826) vi. xxxvii, It contains..for one inch of lean four or five of stringy fat. 1887L. 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. c1386Chaucer Clerk's T. 521 Of Grisildis wordes..He tolde him point for point. c1450Chester Pl. (E.E.T.S.) 256 Such marvayels..he ne dyd day for day. 1535Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 118 Dongard..curage had for to fecht hand for hand With Constantyne. 1606Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iv. viii. 22 A Braine that..can Get gole for gole of youth. 1692Bentley Boyle Lect. iv. 116 Bulk for bulk heavier than a Fluid. 1759Johnson Idler No. 69 ⁋6 May, Sandys and Holiday, confined themselves to the toil of rendering line for line. a1769Regul. Sea-Serv. in Falconer Dict. Marine (1789) Kk iv b, If a foreign admiral..salutes them, he shall receive gun for gun. 1877Daily News 10 Oct. 6/2 We turned the rope end for end. 1881Jowett Thucyd. I. 168 The prisoners..were exchanged man for man. 1885Manch. 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.
1479J. 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.]. 1551T. 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. 1590Marlowe 2nd Pt. Tamburl. iv. i, For person like to prove a second Mars. 1628Hobbes Thucyd. (1822) 99 This year..was of all other for other diseases most free. 1634W. Wood New Eng. Prosp. i. iv, The Soyle is for the generall a warme kinde of earth. 1658W. Burton Comm. Itin. Antoninus 176 For old Marinus, I know not how to excuse him. 1664–5Pepys Diary 7 Apr., Sir Philip did shew me nakedly the king's condition for money. 1710Berkeley Princ. Hum. Knowl. §111 For the rest, this celebrated author holds there is an absolute Space. 1740Xmas Entertainm. iii. (1883–4) 21 All the Witches for my Mind are young Women. 1765Blackstone Comm. I. 466 Thus much..for the privileges and disabilities of infants. 1818M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 250 How he managed for water I could not learn. 1843Fraser's Mag. XXVIII. 570 So much for our housemaid. 1852R. 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.
a1300Cursor M. 3206 (Cott.) ‘Fader’, he said, ‘be þou ful bald, For me sal it neuer be tald’. 1578Timme Calvin on Gen. x. i. 238 Let them..for all me, inioy the fruite..of their labours. 1655Hartlib Legacy 160 This Art, for what I can perceive, is no way demonstrable à priori. 1731Pope Ep. to Burlington 138 Some are Vellum, and the rest as good For all his Lordship knows. 1767S. Paterson Another Trav. I. 321 They shall have it untouched for me. 1809J. Moser Don Quixote in Barcelona ii. v, [He] shall carry all the limbs he has got to heaven for me. 1837Landor Pentam. Wks. 1846 II. 314/2 The banks of the Hebrus may be level or rocky, for what I know about them. 1890Besant Demoniac vi, After the first month you ought to have come home again, for all the good it has done. 1893Law 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.
1653tr. Carmeni's Nissena 75 He wanted for no care nor possible assistance. 1791Cowper Retired Cat 73 With hunger pinched, and pinched for room. 1802M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. ix. 71 In..distress for money. 1804J. Marshall Washington II. i. 38 The people..were in great distress for provisions, arms, and ammunition. 1855Thackeray 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.)
c1385Chaucer L.G.W. 218 For al the world ryght as a daysye Ycorouned ys with white leues lyte. 1602Marston Ant. & Mel. i. Wks. 1856 I. 13 He..lookes For all the world like an ore-roasted pigge. 1753Foote 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.
[1594Marlowe & Nashe Dido iv. iv, Aeneas, for his parentage, deserves As large a kingdom as is Lybia.] 1631Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 536 This Lawier was a very honest man for those times. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 782 His Bulk too Weighty for his Thighs is grown. 1754Richardson 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. 1861C. M. Yonge Stokesley Secret ii. (1862) 42 As poor a man for an esquire as her father was for a surgeon. 1886Manch. 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.
c1450Cov. Myst. 129 Who seyth oure ladyes sawtere dayly for a ȝer thus. 1506Sir R. Guylforde Pilgr (Camden) 39 We..restyd vs for that nyght. 1564–78W. Bullein Dial. agst. Pest. (1888) 10 His stewarde..applied the poore menne with the purse with muche deuotion for the tyme. 1602Shakes. Ham. iii. i. 91 How does your Honor for this many a day? 1626T. Ailesbury Passion-sermon 15 The Jewes for long were..the favourites of heaven. 1711Addison Spect. No. 86 ⁋2, I have seen an Eye curse for half an Hour together. a1792Bp. Horne Serm. (1799) III. 68 Reflect for a moment, on these two pictures of virtue and vice. 1843Fraser's Mag. XXVIII. 334 The Brigand's Bride ran for many nights. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 166 The two great parties..had for a moment concurred. 1872Liddon Elem. Relig. i. 34 Would he even be interested for long in a philosophy which he believed to be only relatively true? 1885Law 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.
1548Hall Chron., Hen. V (an. 4) 55 A peace was concluded..for a certain space. 1559W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 8 Have you then for this present, your whole desire? 1632J. Lee Short Surv. 53 For the present I let passe. 1636N. Riding Rec. IV. 52 He shall enter bond for his good abeareing for a year. 1642Protests Lords I. 11 Whether we shall adjourn for six months. 1692E. Walker tr. Epictetus' Mor. (1737) xv, What bounteous God did for awhile afford. 1706Acc. Soc. Propag. Gosp. 33 The Society..ordered fifty Pounds per annum to be ascertained to him for Three Years. 1719De Foe Crusoe i. viii, I resolved to sit down for all night. 1750Johnson Rambler No. 59 ⁋6 He is always provided with a curacy for life. 1764Sterne in Traill Life 87 About Christmas I..fix my head-quarters at London for the winter. 1847–9Helps Friends in C. Ser. i. (1851) I. 101 If there were Peers for life..it would..meet most of your objections. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 156 Four thousand pounds a year for two lives. 1870M. Bridgman R. Lynne II. v. 117, I sha'n't get up for another hour. 1885Law 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.
1568Grafton Chron. II. 36 The River of Trent in the moneth of June flowed not for the space of a mile. 1605Shakes. Lear ii. iv. 304 For many Miles about There's scarce a Bush. 1818M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. (1834) 159 After travelling for five and twenty miles. 1863Kingsley Water Bab. 9 Not only did he own all the land about for miles. 1885Manch. Exam. 28 Sept. 5/3 When a..man has walked briskly even for a mile.
† XI. 31. Misused for fro, from.
c1340Cursor M. 13554 (Trin.) Anoon he had his siȝt For þenne was he no more led. c1440Partonope 2260 Sorno⁓goure swerde for the arson reft. c1440York Myst. xxx. 222 He bese hurled for þe highnes he haunted. 1540Act 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.
a1200tr. Alcuin's Virt. & V. 115 in Anglia XI. 376 We sculen fleon þa unðeawes, na þa mænn sylfe..for heo synd godes gesceafte. c1205Lay. 148 Eneam he..biheyte..al his drihliche lond for he nefde nenne sune. 1340Hampole Pr. Consc. 6807 Þus for þai did ay ogayns Goddes lawe, Vermyn and wode bestes sal þam ay gnawe. c1435Torr. Portugal 1333 For sir Torent the fend did fall, Gret lordys honoured hym all. 1450–1530Myrr. our Ladye 11 And for god made all thinges in syx dayes..therfore, etc. 1600Fairfax Tasso ii. xix, Nor for he sweld with ire was she affraid. 1604Shakes. Oth. iii. iv. 161 They are..iealious for they're iealious. 1691Dryden K. Arthur i. ii. Wks. 1884 VIII. 148 Why comes not he?..For he's a puling sprite. 1799A. Seward Sonn. xlix, In balance true Weigh it, but smile at the objections vain Of sickly Spirits, hating for they do. 1872Tennyson 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.
c1150Serm. in Kluge Ags. Lesebuch 71 Hwu sceal þiss ᵹewurðen, for ic necann naht of weres ᵹemane. 1154O.E. Chron. an. 1135 On þis kinges time wes al unfrið..for agenes him risen sone þa rice men. c1200Ormin 119 And teȝȝ wærenn..Rihhtwise menn..Forr eȝȝþerr here ȝede..Rihht affter Godess lare. a1400Morte Arth. 219 Ffore he was demyde þe doughtyeste þat duellyde in erthe. 1480Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxliv. (1482) 298 Nowe is good tyme For al Englond praith for vs. 1559W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 25 For xij. tymes 30. maketh 360. a1613Overbury A Wife (1638) 202 A churchman she dare not venture upon; for she hath heard widowes complain of dilapidations. 1664Tillotson 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. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. iii, Near a fortnight had passed before [etc.]..for premature consolation is but the remembrancer of sorrow. 1838T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 806 This oil or resinous-like body contains phosphorus; for..we find phosphoric acid in the residue. 1883Manch. 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.
1570Billingsley Euclid i. xi, For forasmuch as DC is equal to CE, and [etc.] therefore [etc.]. 1812–16J. Smith Panorama Sc. & Art I. 588 For, let there be three bodies at H, O, and D; if [etc.]. 1840Lardner Geom. 106 For from the point B draw B D perpendicular to [etc.].
3. = whether in an obj. sentence. Obs. rare.
c1250Gen. & Ex. 2651 We sulen nu witen for it dede ðis witterlike, or in child-hede. c1394P. 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.
c1305St. Katherine 171 in E.E.P. (1862) 94 Noman ne ȝaf hire mete ne drinke: for heo scholde for hunger deye. c1380Sir Ferumb. 907 Þay..byndeþ þer-wiþ is eȝene about; for he ne schold noȝt sene. c1450St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 4753 For þair trauail sulde noȝt be waste. 1593Shakes. 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.
a1529Skelton Agst. Garnesche 22 Syr Gawen, Syr Cayus, for and Syr Olyuere. 1605Shakes. Ham. v. i. 103 A Pickhaxe and a Spade, a Spade for and a shrowding-Sheete. 1617Middleton Fair Quarrel v. i. Wks. (Dyce) III. 544 Chough [sings] A hippocrene, a tweak, for and a fucus. |