† fordealn.
Obsolete.
1. Advantage.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > [noun]
fremea700
redeeOE
noteeOE
goodOE
goodnessOE
framec1175
winc1175
bihevec1230
behoofc1275
advantagec1300
prowc1300
wellc1300
wainc1315
profita1325
bewaynec1375
vantagec1380
goodshipc1390
prewa1400
steada1400
benefice1426
vailc1430
utilityc1440
of availc1450
prevaila1460
fordeal1470
winning1477
encherishingc1480
benefit1512
booty1581
emolument1633
handhold1655
withgate1825
cui bono1836
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > [noun] > advantage over another > an advantage
advantagec1330
betterc1405
fordeal1470
vantage1490
fardredeal1521
forthdeal1542
kinch?1635
running start1842
leg up1930
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur v. viii The bataille was grete, and oftsydes that one party was at a fordele and anone at an afterdele.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 73 Preferre the honour worship, fordeel and proffyte of theyr lord.
1523 in State Papers Henry VIII (1830) I. 143 Which newes beyng true, shalbe a mervailory fordell to your intended purposes.
1637 R. Monro Exped. Scots Regim. i. 74 The enemy also, had another fortell, or advantage by reason of a new worke, which was uncomplete.
2. The first place, precedence, preference. Scottish.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > honour > [noun] > precedence
right sidea1325
fordeal1513
precedence1598
precedency1601
to take the right hand of1607
pas1707
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid v. iii. 99 And now hes Pristis the fordaill.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) III. 276 Thair wes..Ane flatterar and fenȝear for ane fordell, Semdill in the kirk and rich oft in the bordell.
a1651 D. Calderwood Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1843) II So long as men of vertue and honour..sall stand a fordell, to controll their..wicked proceidings.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1470