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单词 follow
释义

follown.

Brit. /ˈfɒləʊ/, U.S. /ˈfɑloʊ/
Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: follow v.
Etymology: < follow v.With sense 1 compare earlier following n.1 1. With sense 3 compare slightly earlier follow-on n. 1.
1. The action or an act of following someone or something; an act of going after someone in turn. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > [noun] > pursuit > a pursuit
fore-chase?1611
follow1677
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > table game > dominoes > [noun] > actions
follow1677
down1863
pose1865
1677 Earl of Orrery Treat. Art of War 202 He ought also neither too hastily to believe the Enemies Army is Routed..: nor too slowly to order the Follow of the Rout.
?1870 F. Hardy & J. R. Ware Mod. Hoyle Dominoes 93 It is sometimes an advantage to hold heavy dominoes, as they not unfrequently enable you to obtain what is called a good ‘follow’.
1889 Spectator 9 Nov. 635/1 And hark! the view-hollo! 'Tis Mack in full follow.
2005 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 17 July ii. 20/2 Whenever we're in a follow with the French guys, we say make sure they don't get in the front.
2. Billiards and Pool. A stroke in which topspin is imparted to the cue ball by striking it above its centre, causing it to roll on after the object ball which it has set in motion. Also: the impulse given to the ball by such a stroke.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [noun] > actions or types of play > type of stroke
hazard1674
carambole1775
carom1779
cannon1802
screw1825
sidestroke1834
following stroke1837
cannonade1844
five-stroke1847
follow1850
scratch1850
fluke1857
jenny1857
bank shot1859
angle shot1860
draw shot1860
six-stroke1861
run-through1862
spot1868
quill1869
dead-stroke1873
loser1873
push1873
push stroke1873
stab1873
stab screw1873
draw1881
force1881
plant1884
anchor cannon1893
massé1901
angle1902
cradle-cannon1907
pot1907
jump shot1909
carry-along1913
snooker1924
1850 M. Phelan Billiards without Master 17 How to strike a ball, and the effect of the point of the cue; how a Force, a Follow, and a Twist are produced.
1873 J. Bennett & ‘Cavendish’ Billiards 371 The reason for playing with side is, that, when the balls are so close, sufficient ‘follow’ cannot be got on.
1946 Pop. Mech. Nov. 252/2 Follow through the cue ball regardless of whether the stroke is center ball, or is to impart follow, draw or english.
2010 A. Wenzl tr. G. Hüpper Billiards Man. I. 125/1 Follows require a strong, effective stroke, with lots of top spin.
†3. Cricket. A second innings played by a team immediately after its first innings, which may be enforced by the opposing team if it leads by more than a stipulated number of runs after both sides' first innings are completed; the fact of having to follow on in this way. Usually called the follow on (see follow-on n. 1). Frequently in to save the follow: to avoid having to follow on. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1865 Nottingham Daily Express 2 Oct. 4/2 The eleven only saved ‘the follow’ by 3 runs.
1870 Harrovian 23 July 196/1 The remaining wickets did but little, and the total only reached 89, just saving the ‘follow’ by two runs.
1884 James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Ann. ii. ii. 60 With the follow saved, there was no chance of completion of the game.
1908 Nottinghamshire Evening Post 2 June 6/5 (heading) Hants. just save the follow. Leicester lead by 131.
4.
†a. In a restaurant: a supplementary portion of food, a second helping. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > amounts of food > [noun] > portion of food > portion served > supplementary portion
seconds1792
follow1903
1903 Harper's Mag. Mar. 712/1 The bill of fare of the dinner at a fixed price sometimes informs the traveller that ‘a follow of any dish will be served without extra charge’.
1908 A. A. Milne in Punch 30 Sept. 248/2 At most restaurants you can get a second help of anything for half-price, and that is technically called a ‘follow’.
b. In plural. The sweet course following the main course of a meal; pudding, dessert. Cf. afters n. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > course > [noun] > course after main
after-mess1489
banquet1523
after-course1580
fruit1587
dessert1600
sweet1832
confectionery1847
afters1909
pudding1934
follows1946
1946 G. Millar Horned Pigeon ii. 31 Robeson..made us some kind of stew; and the ‘follows’..were tinned ‘yellow cling’ peaches.

Compounds

follow board n. Founding a board on which the pattern for a mould is placed, which follows the contours of the pattern and provides extra support to those parts of the pattern that are structurally weak; = mould-board n.2 1b.
ΚΠ
1836 E. Hazen Panorama of Professions & Trades 279/1 The pattern is laid upon a plain board, which in this application is called a follow board.
1952 Molder 3 & 2 (U.S. Bureau Naval Personnel) vii. 216 Since the follow board will support the mold during the pouring procedure, a perforated metal device is preferable because it eliminates the fire hazard that exists when wooden boards are used.
2004 S. Chastain Metal Casting II. vii. 121 A follow board is used for this type of pattern or if only a single casting is needed.
follow shot n. Billiards and Pool. a stroke in which topspin is imparted to the cue ball by striking it above its centre, causing it to roll on after the object ball which it has set in motion; = follow stroke n.
ΚΠ
1866 Wilkes' Spirit of Times (N.Y.) 7 Apr. 83/3 His execution was at times terrific, ‘twist’ and ‘follow’ shots especially being made with surprising accuracy.
1965 W. Mosconi Winning Pocket Billiards 60 In a follow shot the cue ball moves forward after impact with the object ball.
1998 Esquire Feb. 88/1 But it's a simple shot, and I made it and most of the other shots that Jerry sets up—stop shots, draw shots, follow shots.
follow stroke n. Billiards and Pool. a stroke in which topspin is imparted to the cue ball by striking it above its centre, causing it to roll on after the object ball which it has set in motion; cf. following stroke n. at following adj. and n.2 Compounds.
ΚΠ
1880 A. Garnier Scientific Billiards 20 Play this shot ‘hard’ and with the follow-stroke.
2007 R. Eckert Pool Billiard Workout Level 1 i. 17 Get the points for sinking the balls by means of a stop or follow stroke.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

followv.

Brit. /ˈfɒləʊ/, U.S. /ˈfɑloʊ/
Forms:

α. Old English folgian, Old English folgyan (rare), Old English folhgien (in transcript of lost MS), Old English folig- (inflected form), Old English folligende (present participle, probably transmission error), early Middle English foheð (3rd singular present indicative, transmission error), early Middle English fohli, early Middle English folecheden (past tense, plural), early Middle English foleg, early Middle English folege, early Middle English foleȝe, early Middle English foleȝi, early Middle English foleue, early Middle English folewi, early Middle English folge, early Middle English folgie, early Middle English folȝhi, early Middle English folȝi, early Middle English folȝie, early Middle English folȝih (imperative singular), early Middle English folhe, early Middle English folhi, early Middle English folie, early Middle English follȝhenn ( Ormulum), early Middle English follh ( Ormulum, imperative singular), early Middle English uoluwe, early Middle English voluwe, Middle English ffollow, Middle English ffolow, Middle English ffolowe, Middle English ffolwe, Middle English folew, Middle English folgh, Middle English folght- (inflected form), Middle English folȝ (imperative), Middle English folȝe, Middle English foligh- (northern, inflected form), Middle English folih (northern), Middle English folihe (northern), Middle English follo- (inflected form), Middle English follwe, Middle English folog- (inflected form), Middle English fologh (northern and north midlands), Middle English fologhe (northern and north midlands), Middle English foloȝe (northern), Middle English folohe (northern and north midlands), Middle English folough (northern), Middle English folougth- (northern, inflected form), Middle English folouh (northern), Middle English folouw- (inflected form), Middle English folowȝ (north-west midlands), Middle English foloy- (chiefly north midlands, inflected form), Middle English folu, Middle English folugh, Middle English folut (north-west midlands, past tense, in a late copy), Middle English foluw, Middle English foluwe, Middle English folw, Middle English folwie (south-west midlands), Middle English folyȝ- (northern, inflected form), Middle English fowlo- (inflected form), Middle English uolewe (south-western and south-west midlands), Middle English uolg- (south-eastern, inflected form), Middle English uolȝi (south-eastern), Middle English uolȝy (south-eastern), Middle English volewe (southern and south-west midlands), Middle English volȝ- (south-eastern, inflected form), Middle English volowe, Middle English–1500s folewe, Middle English–1500s foloe, Middle English–1500s folou, Middle English–1500s foloue, Middle English–1500s folue, Middle English–1500s folwe, Middle English–1500s fowlow, Middle English 1600s follewe, Middle English–1600s followe, Middle English–1600s folo, Middle English–1600s folow, Middle English–1600s folowe, Middle English– follow, late Middle English fol- (inflected form), late Middle English folawand (northern, present participle), late Middle English folutte (north-west midlands, past tense), late Middle English fowled (northern, past tense), 1500s foolowe, 1500s fowlowe, 1500s–1600s follew, 1500s–1600s follo, 1500s–1600s foolow, 1600s folw- (inflected form), 1800s follah (English regional), 1800s follar (English regional), 1800s– folla (regional), 1800s– foller (regional), 1800s– folly (regional), 1900s follor (English regional), 1900s– folluh (U.S. regional, in African-American usage); Scottish pre-1700 fallo, pre-1700 fallou, pre-1700 fallow, pre-1700 fallowe, pre-1700 falou, pre-1700 falow, pre-1700 folawit (past tense), pre-1700 folȝe, pre-1700 folles (3rd singular present indicative, transmission error), pre-1700 follo, pre-1700 follou, pre-1700 follov, pre-1700 folou, pre-1700 folov, pre-1700 folow, pre-1700 folowe, pre-1700 foluand (present participle), pre-1700 folw- (inflected form), pre-1700 foulow, pre-1700 fowlow, pre-1700 1700s– follow, 1800s follo', 1800s folloo, 1900s– foley, 1900s– folla, 1900s– follae, 1900s– folly.

β. early Old English felhð (Kentish, 3rd singular present indicative), early Old English felð (Kentish, 3rd singular present indicative), Old English feligan (rare), Old English filgan, Old English filgean, Old English filian, Old English filigan, Old English filigean, Old English fuilga (Northumbrian), Old English fygde (past tense, transmission error), Old English fyl- (inflected form, rare), Old English fylega (Northumbrian), Old English fylgan, Old English fylgean, Old English fylgian, Old English fylian, Old English fyligan, Old English fyligean, Old English fyllgan (perhaps transmission error), Old English fyllian (plural present subjunctive, transmission error), Old English fylygan (rare), late Old English fuligan, early Middle English felge (south-eastern), early Middle English felgie (south-eastern), early Middle English felh (south-eastern, 3rd singular present indicative, perhaps transmission error), early Middle English felygede (south-eastern, past tense), early Middle English feolie (south-west midlands), early Middle English fȝlia (singular present subjunctive, transmission error), early Middle English filge, early Middle English filie, early Middle English filye, early Middle English filyȝe, early Middle English fulie (south-west midlands), early Middle English fulige, early Middle English fuliȝ- (south-west midlands, inflected form), early Middle English fylge, early Middle English fylgie, early Middle English fylgye, early Middle English fylȝe (south-western and south-west midlands), early Middle English fylȝþ (3rd singular present indicative), early Middle English fylie, early Middle English fylige, early Middle English fyliȝe, early Middle English fylye, early Middle English fylyȝe, early Middle English uulie (south-west midlands), early Middle English vulede (south-west midlands, past tense), Middle English felawe (northern), early Middle English welie, Middle English felewe, Middle English felo, Middle English felogh, Middle English felou, Middle English felough, Middle English feloughe, Middle English felow, Middle English felowe, Middle English felu, Middle English felwe, Middle English fileghe, Middle English filghe, Middle English filȝe, Middle English filȝh- (inflected form), Middle English fili- (inflected form), Middle English filigh, Middle English filiȝ, Middle English filihe, Middle English filiyh- (inflected form), Middle English fillovande (northern, present participle), Middle English fillow- (inflected form), Middle English filoe, Middle English filou- (inflected form), Middle English filow, Middle English filwedist (2nd singular past indicative), Middle English filyhe, Middle English fulueþ (plural indicative), Middle English fulv, Middle English fulwes (south-eastern, 3rd singular present indicative), Middle English fylloy, Middle English fylo, Middle English fylow.

Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.
Etymology: A merging of two distinct but closely related words, apparently ultimately reflexes of the same verb in Germanic: (i) (represented by the α. forms) a weak verb of Class II (Old English folgian ; compare Old Saxon folgon : see below), and (ii) (represented by the β. forms) a weak verb of Class I (Old English fylgan ; compare Old Icelandic fylgja : see below), both cognate with Old Frisian folgia , folia , fulgia , Old Dutch folgon (Middle Dutch volghen , volgen , Dutch volgen ), Old Saxon folgon (also -fulgian in aftarfulgian ; Middle Low German volgen ), Old High German folgēn and (rare) folgōn (Middle High German volgen , German folgen ), Old Icelandic fylgja , Old Swedish fylghia , fölghia (Swedish följa ), Old Danish fylghje (Danish følge ); further etymology uncertain and disputed, perhaps < the same Germanic base as Old English fēolan to make one's way, to proceed, to go, to stick, to adhere (see feal v.).The older Germanic languages show variation in stem class. The verb was probably originally a weak verb of Class III; compare Old High German folgēn . It is not attested in Gothic. Compare also Old English fullgān to engage wholly in, to accomplish, to carry out, to help, to attain ( < full adv. + go v.), fullgangan to practise, to effect, to accomplish, to fulfil, to follow, serve ( < full adv. + gang v.1), and the similarly formed Old Dutch follagān (Middle Dutch volgaen , Dutch volgaan , now regional), Old Saxon fullgangan , fullgān (Middle Low German vulgān ), Old High German follagān , follagāngan (Middle High German volgān ), which likewise show semantic overlap with the cognates of follow v., although the original core sense appears to have been ‘to carry out, to accomplish’. Formerly, these formations were assumed to throw light on the origin of the Germanic base of follow v., which was seen as having developed by phonological reduction from the Germanic base of Old English fullgān , etc. However, it is more likely that the two types are wholly independent formations which influenced each other semantically in the individual West Germanic languages. Form history. The stem vowel of Old English folgian shows regular lowering of Germanic u before the mid back vowel of the original weak Class II suffix, while fylgan shows i-mutation of u caused by the j of the original weak Class I suffix. Modern standard English follow (Brit. /ˈfɒləʊ/, U.S. /ˈfɑloʊ/) is the reflex of Old English folgian , with regular vocalization in Middle English of the voiced velar fricative /ɣ/ (spelt g in Old English) to /w/. The Middle English β. forms show the expected regional reflexes of Old English short y . In later Middle English, β. forms with the stem vowel i (or e < i ) are chiefly attested in northern and north midlands sources. The two verbs in Old English. In Old English the two weak verbs show the same semantic range. However, weak Class I forms (fylgan ) are significantly more frequent than weak Class II forms (folgian ) and are hence somewhat more likely to be attested in rare senses. Prefixed forms. In Old English the prefixed forms gefylgan and gefolgian (early Middle English ȝefolȝie ) are also attested in the senses ‘to follow, to pursue, to obey, to obtain’ (compare y- prefix). Compare also æfterfylgan (early Middle English æfterfyliȝe ) and æfterfolgian to follow, to pursue, to attend, to succeed (compare after- prefix), ætfylgan to press, to urge (compare at- prefix1), befylgan to follow, to observe, to pursue (compare be- prefix and Middle English befolowe ), (Northumbrian) forefylga , an element-by-element gloss of Latin prōsequī to follow, to pursue (compare fore- prefix), forþfylgan and forþfolgian , element-by-element glosses of Latin prōsequī to follow, to pursue (compare forth adv.), offylgan to follow up (compare of- prefix), oferfylgan to pursue, to attack (compare over- prefix), (Northumbrian) underfylga , an element-by-element gloss of Latin subsequī to follow close behind (compare under- prefix1), and also fullfylgan to follow, to obey, to pursue (compare full adj.).
In Old English (and early Middle English) in transitive use chiefly with the object (the person or thing followed) in the dative.
I. Senses chiefly involving physical movement.
1.
a.
(a) transitive. To go along with (a person or group) as an attendant, companion, or hanger-on; to accompany, serve, or attend upon (a person).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > attend as servant [verb (intransitive)]
followeOE
to stand before ——OE
wait1526
to wait attendancea1593
attenda1616
tenda1616
eOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Parker) anno 755 Þa cuędon hie þæt him nænig mæg leofra nære þonne hiera hlaford, & hie næfre his banan folgian noldon.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 151 Monie kunnes men foleȝeden ure drihten ine þisse liue.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1498 (MED) Kniȝtes folwed him forþ, fiue oþer sixe.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 6338 A seruand folowand his lorde.
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. i. viii. f. viiv The wyffis of Pychtis (quhilkis followit the army for luffe of thair husbandis) fell on kneis with ruthfull teris.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Sam. xvii. 13 And the three eldest sonnes of Iesse went, and followed Saul to the battell. View more context for this quotation
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 225 He had been his subtutor, and had followed him in all his exile.
1845 A. M. Hall Whiteboy I. vi. 101 The rheumatic..creature who had ‘followed’ the family for more than forty years.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 34 You may depend on my following and not deserting him.
1988 G. Lamb Orkney Wordbk. Follow, accompany: Ah'll follow thee home wi a torch.
2012 J. Downs Sick from Freedom 188 Camp followers could also refer to the nurses and other women who served as laundresses and cooks who followed the army.
†(b) intransitive. With with. To go as a person's attendant or companion. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 6339 And with me folwith my loteby To done me salas and company.
1687 W. Penn Good Advice to Church of Eng. 5 They tell him of one they met with, that in his Name cast out Devils, but..he would not follow with them.
b. transitive. To go along with or accompany (a person) as an admirer, disciple, etc. In later use sometimes merging with sense 7a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [verb (transitive)]
followOE
honourc1275
regard1526
to take off one's hat1571
respect1576
to see unto ——1579
suspect1590
honestate1623
defer1686
consider1692
to look up to1719
to have no (a lot of, etc.) time for1938
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > admiration > admire [verb (transitive)] > follow as admirer
followOE
OE Wulfstan Homily: Larspell (Corpus Cambr. 421) in A. S. Napier Wulfstan (1883) 269 Crist sylf astealde þa clænnysse and his halgan apostolas, þe him her on life folgedan.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 12768 He fand ta filippe. & seȝȝde þuss till himm. follh me.
a1400 Prose Life Christ (Pepys) (1922) 68 (MED) He ȝede & selde alle his godes and ȝaue it to pouer men & com and folowȝed hym.
1570 T. Wilson Life Demosthenes in tr. Demosthenes 3 Orations 108 Calistratus..was wonderfully esteemed for his eloquent Oration: Demosthenes thought it a great honour, to see him so followed and attended vppon.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 336 Doe they hold the same estimation they did when I was in the Citty; are they so followed . View more context for this quotation
1756 F. Brooke Old Maid No. 22. 129 O! he is..a charming man..! thank God I have followed him these twenty years.
1919 Christian Workers Mag. Sept. 47/2 As a result of the Baptist's testimony, two of the disciples leave him and follow Jesus.
2012 S. Raichlen Island Apart 195 She and her girlfriend moved to Varanasi, India, to follow a guru.
c. transitive. To escort or accompany (the body of a dead person) to a funeral or burial. Also intransitive: to join in a funeral procession; (colloquial) †to attend a person's funeral (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > obsequies > [verb (transitive)] > attend funeral of
followOE
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xxxiii. 459 Þa ferode man anes cnihtes lic to byrgene. His moder..mid wope þam lice folgode.
1534 tr. Erasmus Dyaloge Funus sig. B.viiv Somtyme syx hondreth monkes..wyll folowe one corps.
1562 A. Brooke tr. M. Bandello Tragicall Hist. Romeus & Iuliet f. 70v In steade of mariage gloues, now funerall gloues they haue, And whom they should see maried, they follow to the graue.
1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. ii. 148 To make such Dexteritie to incestuous sheetes, Ere yet the shooes were olde, The which she followed my dead fathers corse.
1788 R. B. Sheridan St. Patrick's Day ii. 24 I had rather follow you to your grave, than see you owe your life to any but a regular bred physician.
1814 New Monthly Mag. Feb. 103/1 Behind the waggon followed the chief mourner, who was his own riding horse, attached by the bridle.
1819 C. Wolfe Let. 4 May in J. A. Russell Remains C. Wolfe & Mem. Life (1827) 155 Last night I helped to lay poor M—— in his coffin, and followed him this morning to his grave.
1831 J. Banim Smuggler I. xi. 201 They renewed their cries for ‘Hood! to follow in the funeral!’
1897 H. Caine Christian i. viii. 40 Gimme a black cloth on the corfin, my dear, and mind yer tell 'im to foller.
1902 Westm. Gaz. 18 Dec. 12/2 In Norfolk it is customary to speak of attending a funeral as ‘following’ the remains.
1940 ‘C. Brahms’ & ‘S. J. Simon’ Don't, Mr. Disraeli ii. 21 Defiantly Henrietta sent a wreath to the funeral. It did not follow her friend to the grave.
2013 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 26 Dec. 41 His four children and five grandchildren followed his body to the grave.
2. transitive. figurative. Of an immaterial thing or quality: to accompany, go with (a person or thing); †to be a necessary or inevitable accompaniment to (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > accompaniment > accompany or attend [verb (transitive)]
followeOE
to be with1382
to stand with ——1384
fellowship?c1400
fellow1434
encompanya1513
to go with ——1523
to come with ——1533
accompany1543
associate1548
affellowship1559
to wait on ——1579
concomitate1604
second1609
companion1622
comitate1632
attend1653
waita1674
to keep (a person) company1849
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)] > be adherent of
followeOE
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xliii. 309 Ond eft ðæm gifrum suiðe hrædlice him willað fylgan leohtlicu weorc.
OE Paris Psalter (1932) lv. 4 Ic wealdend God wordum herige, and on God swylce georne gelyfe, þæt minre spræce sped folgie æghwæs ealne dæg.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 830 Nass nan esste mete þær Þatt follȝheþþ gluterrnesse. Ne þær ne fand he nænne drinnch ðatt drunnkennesse follȝheþþ.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xix. viii. 1279 It nedeþ nouȝt þat vnyte of kynde folweþ vnyte of liknesse of coloure.
a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 46 Sorwe foluiþ euer þe glory of þe worlde.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) 1 Cor. x. 13 There hath no temptacion taken you but soche as foloweth the nature of man.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 25 The happier state In Heav'n, which follows dignity. View more context for this quotation
1859 J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve Narr. Walking Tour Brittany vi. 74 Under the feudal system, the title follows the land.
1921 M. C. Banning Half Loaves iii. xxv. 257 She thanked him..and left the office, conscious as she was nowadays that a buzz of comment and gossip followed her.
2017 Breeze (James Madison Univ.) (Nexis) 13 Nov. 1 If that reputation followed him to Mizzou, it quickly vanished.
3.
a.
(a) transitive. To go or come after (a person or thing in motion); to move behind (a person or thing) in the same direction. Also figurative with star as object, with allusion to the story of the Magi following the Star of Bethlehem. Also with adverbs, as about, around, out, etc.Figurative uses with star may in some cases show sense 4d, although usually the Star of Bethlehem was represented as a moving object.See also the figurative phrase to follow a person's steps (or footsteps) at Phrases 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > intend [verb (transitive)] > have as purpose or object
followeOE
studylOE
turna1200
pursuea1382
purposec1384
to shoot atc1407
ensue1483
proponea1500
studyc1503
prick1545
tread1551
suit1560
to go for ——1568
to set (up) one's rest1572
expect1578
propose1584
propound1596
aima1616
scope1668
to set up1691
aim1821
to go in for1835
to be out for1887
to be flat out for1930
target1966
shoot1967
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow [verb (transitive)]
followeOE
asuec1300
suec1300
underfollow1382
succeedc1485
ensue?a1500
suit1582
to traik after1818
trail1915
eOE tr. Orosius Hist. (BL Add.) (1980) iv. v. 89 Þæt folc þæt him ongean com, eall hit him wepende hamweard folgade.
OE West Saxon Gospels: John (Corpus Cambr.) x. 27 Mine sceap gehyraþ mine stefne & ic gecnawe hig & hig folgiað me.
OE Hymns (Durh. B.iii.32) xlv. 2 in I. Milfull Hymns of Anglo-Saxon Church (1996) 217 Ibant magi..stellam sequentes previam : ferdan tungelwitegan..steorran folgiende forestæppendne.
a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 33 Se ðe wile cumen after me in to heuene, bere his rode on ierðe swa ic dede, and swo he mai me folȝin and cumen ðar ic am.
a1333 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 15 (MED) Þe kynges..foleweden þe sterre.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 74 As any kyde or Calf folwynge his dame.
c1450 (a1425) Metrical Paraphr. Old Test. (Selden) l. 2758 (MED) Wemen and chylder ȝyng then next þem fowled fast.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xlvii. 159 They went all together and foolowed Huon as preuely as they coude.
a1555 J. Hooper in M. Coverdale Certain Lett. Martyrs (1564) 134 Praye to God, & followe the starre of hys word, & you shall ariue at the port of eternall saluacion by the merites only of Jesus Christ.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) iii. ii. 6 I had rather (forsooth) go before you like a man, then follow him like a dwarfe. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 238 Him followed his next Mate. View more context for this quotation
1683 W. Houschone Scotl. pulling down Gates of Rome 12 She plunges her self again in the pit seeing a cure, not following the star of the Scripture.
1773 D. Henry Hist. Acct. Voy. Eng. Navigators III. 77 The boats having been sent to sound along the coast, were followed by large double canoes.
1847 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Peru II. iii. ix. 36 The remainder of his forces, when mustered, were to follow him.
1860 W. Collins Woman in White (new ed.) I. 130 I opened the door for her in silence, and followed her out.
1910 E. M. Albanesi For Love of Anne Lambert 59 He follows me about like a dog.
1949 Time 27 June 20/3 An army of hero-worshiping teen-age girls who follow players around.
1970 V. Johnston Phantom Cottage xxi. 160 ‘So if you will just let me keep following your car—.’.. ‘All right. But no tailgating.’
2017 C. Wang Takedown xlix. 217 I followed him into the living room.
(b) intransitive. To go or come after a person or thing in motion; to move behind a person or thing in the same direction. Also with after, behind, †on, †to.See also the figurative phrase to follow in a person's steps (or footsteps) at Phrases 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow behind [verb (intransitive)]
followOE
to follow ona1325
suec1390
ensuec1500
to follow alonga1594
tag1676
hark after1899
OE Blickling Homilies 71 Seo menigo þe þær beforan ferde, & seo se þær æfter fylgde, ealle hie cegdon.
lOE St. Giles (Corpus Cambr. 303) (1980) 112 Ða bead se cynincg his cnihtes and his hunten..þæt heore nan him æfter ne folgoden buton se biscop ane.
a1300 (c1275) Physiologus (1991) l. 237 On swimmeð bi forn & alle ðe odre folegen.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 11435 Þei follewed on þe sterre beme Til þei coom to Ierusalem.
1543 Chron. J. Hardyng f. lxxviiv Then folowed ye duke of Suffolke with the Sceptre.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 421 He followit to him haistely..For to bring him to the king.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xli. sig. Dv For still temptation followes where thou art. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 143 He first, and close behind him follow'd she. View more context for this quotation
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People ii. §6. 89 Gilbert was one of the Norman strangers who followed in the wake of the Conqueror.
1979 Gettysburg (Pa.) Times 27 June 1/4 Hower was following behind a truck and had just rounded a curve.
2015 M. Bradford Button Hill viii. 85 He limped out of the room. Harper turned to follow.
b.
(a) intransitive. To go in chase or pursuit of a person or animal, esp. with intent to overtake and capture, harm, or kill. Also with adverbs, as after, †on, †upon. Also figurative.In some instances perhaps simply a contextual use of sense 3a(b).Quot. eOE (with the preposition in postmodifying position) could alternatively be interpreted as showing transitive use of the Old English prefixed verb æfterfolgian.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow behind [verb (intransitive)] > pursue
followeOE
suec1325
pursuea1375
prosecute1549
bechafe1574
ret1607
to give chase (to)1634
eOE tr. Orosius Hist. (BL Add.) (1980) i. x. 29 Hie..sona þone cyning gefliemdon mid his folce, & him æfter folgiende wæron.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1751 He toc and wente and folwede on, And ðhogt in mod iacob to slon.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. l. 4454 (MED) Þei toke a schip and folwyn anoon.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Prov. xiii. C Myschefe foloweth vpon synners.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 159v Theire fos on hom folowet.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xliv. 4 Vp, follow after the men. View more context for this quotation
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives III. 453 The young man cried out, They dare not stand us, and followed at full speed.
1862 Let. 24 Aug. in F. Moore Rebellion Rec. (1866) Suppl. I. 657/1 Our whole force then rapidly retreated... The rebel forces followed hotly after.
1995 P. Williams General iii. 40 Cahill ran back up the hill. The cops followed. At the top they tried to catch him.
(b) transitive. To go in pursuit of (a person, animal, etc.) with intent to overtake and capture, harm, or kill; to hunt, chase (a person, animal, etc.).In some instances perhaps simply a contextual use of sense 3a(a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow [verb (transitive)] > pursue
followOE
driveOE
to go after ——OE
to come after——c1275
pursuec1300
suec1300
catcha1325
chasec1330
enchasec1380
to pursue aftera1387
ensuea1513
subsecute1548
prosecute1549
jass1577
course1587
to make after ——a1592
scorse1596
chevya1825
to take out after1865
shag1913
OE Beowulf (2008) 2933 Se froda fæder Ohtheres..abreot brimwisan..ond ða folgode feorhgeniðlan, oð ðæt hi oðeodon earfoðlice in Hrefnes Holt hlafordlease.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 1994 He folwede hem so hund dos hare.
a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) xvii. 41 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 150 I sal filghe mi faas, and vmlap þa.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cv The Englishemen folowed theim so faste, in killyng and takyng of their enemies.
1783 W. Cowper Let. 30 Mar. (1981) II. 119 Here lies, whom hound did ne'er pursue, Nor swifter Greyhound follow.
1894 A. B. Gomme Trad. Games I. 191 The Hounds follow him and try to catch him before he gets home.
1915 D. Haig Diary 26 Jan. in War Diaries & Lett. 1914–18 (2005) 96 I gathered that..under a heavy artillery fire..they left their trenches—that the Enemy followed them for over 300 yards to beyond the ‘keep’.
1993 W. R. Wood Or go down in Flame vii. 127 A German fighter followed them and continued its attack, and when the B-17 went into a dive the crew bailed out.
(c) transitive. figurative. Of an immaterial thing: to pursue (a person) with hostility or enmity; (of misfortune, affliction, etc.) to harass, dog (a person). Also: †to afflict, trouble (a person) with something harmful or unpleasant (obsolete). In later use sometimes merging with sense 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > suffer (adversity or affliction) [verb (transitive)] > afflict > affect or visit with adversity
followOE
waryc1200
hita1400
remord?c1400
visit1424
to lead (a person) the measures1594
conflict1609
to lead a person a life1715
overhit1816
put1841
to put (a person) through it1855
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xl. 524 Drihten..cydde þa yfelnyssa þe folgiað þam ealdgendan middanearde.
?a1200 (?OE) Peri Didaxeon (1896) 7 Cefalaponia, ðæt ys heafodsar, and þat sar fylȝþ lange þan heafode.
a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 47 Euel ant elde ant oþer wo foleweþ me so faste.
a1450 (a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Rawl.) (1960) A. xii. l. 68 Me folweþ such a fentyse, I may no ferþer walke.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iv. v. 99 Since I haue euer followed thee with hate. View more context for this quotation
1671 in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS: Pt. 5 (1890) App. 22 in Parl. Papers (C. 5889) II. 1 Wee play sometimes at trante a courante where my old ill lucke follows mee to loose my money.
a1688 J. Bunyan Jerusalem-sinner Saved (1689) 155 Art thou followed with affliction.
1714 S. Stoddard Guide to Christ 47 He is followed with guilt, and comes and makes his Case known unto the Minister.
1877 W. Collins My Lady's Money i. ii. 14 Undeserved disaster followed him from one employment to another.
1985 J. L. Hensley Robak's Cross xi. 131 You're always into something. Trouble follows you.
2002 H. W. Brands Age of Gold iv. xvi. 405 His partners sent him to New York to open a branch on Wall Street, but bad luck followed him east.
c. transitive. To pursue (a person) covertly from a distance in order to observe or monitor his or her movements and activities. Also intransitive.In early use probably simply a contextual use of sense 3a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow [verb (transitive)] > follow stealthily
followOE
dodge1728
OE West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) xxii. 54 Ða namon hig hine & læddon to þæra sacerda ealdres huse, & Petrus fyligde feorran [L. sequebatur a longe].
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 921 He had appoynted men out of the citie to spie their doings, which followed them to see what they intended.
1632 R. Brome Northern Lasse iv. v. sig. Kv Squ. How could she know that I was here? How. Shee spied you in the Streete sir, and followed you.
1794 Freemason's Mag. June 443 I could perceive..that I was followed by the spies of the Inquisition, who kept a watchful eye over my behaviour.
1884 Republic 30 Nov. 662/1 When the countryman went forth the two detectives followed, and shadowed him to behind the Centre Market.
1916 Sat. Evening Post 22 Jan. 20/3 He could not shake off the feeling that he was being followed.
2006 E. McCarthy You don't know Jack ii. 20 He sucked at this spy thing. The point of following someone was to stay incognito.
4.
a.
(a) transitive. To move forward or continue on (a path, course, trail, etc.).With reference to a literal or figurative path.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct (one's course, steps, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > follow (a path or course)
treadOE
followOE
embrace1639
solicit1694
pursue1788
to strike a line (also path1867
track1888
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) iii. xxviii. 233 Þa þa ær wæron in sibbe gesegene, þæt hi fylgdon þa ruman wegas þissere worulde [L. latas huius saeculi uias sequi].
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 4914 Þa follȝhest tu þær þurrh þatt stih. Þatt cristess þeww birrþ follȝhenn.
c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) l. 4919 Gvinbat fleiȝe out of þe place Gaheriet on hors his trace Folwed out fram þat ost.
c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 2018 That..The same weye he may returne a-non Ffolwynge alwey the thred as he hath come.
1587 F. Thynne Ann. Scotl. To Rdr. 409/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II Following the course of the next riuer, they attempted to withdraw into places of more safetie for themselues.
a1616 J. Smith Expos. Creed (1632) i. 15 Put a hound upon a sent, and although we see nothing, yet the hound will follow the sent.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 79. ⁋3 I am Young, and very much inclined to follow the Paths of Innocence.
1780 W. Smellie tr. Comte de Buffon Nat. Hist. Gen. & Particular VI. 259 Following the tracks of wild beasts,..terrified by their occasional roarings.
1825 W. Cobbett Rural Rides in Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 26 Nov. 530 I was resolved..not to follow the Turnpike road one single inch further.
1936 A. Rand We the Living ii. i. 235 Her finger was following the line of the scar, sliding down his forehead, erasing his frown.
1969 Hispania 52 283/2 Fernando followed the path of least resistance.
2008 M. Willen 60 Hikes within 60 Miles lii. 247 Turn left and follow the path through the woods.
(b) intransitive. With on, along. To move forward or continue on a path, course, trail, etc.; to continue to travel along a route or in a direction.With reference to a literal or figurative path.
ΚΠ
1509 S. Hawes Pastyme of Pleasure (de Worde) xlii. sig. R.viii Towarde heuen to folowe on the way Thou arte full slowe.
1555 R. Eden Two Viages into Guinea in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 346 From hense folowynge on theyr course, and tarying here and there at the deserte Ilandes in the waye..they came at the length to the fyrst lande of the countrey of Guinea.
1612 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don-Quixote: Pt. 1 i. iv. 31 The Merchants followed on their way, carying with them occasion enough of talke of the poore belaboured Knight.
1657 J. Davies tr. H. D'Urfé Astrea I. 109 Corilas told her, that if she followed on that path, it would bring her through the wood into a Meadow.
1849 Belfast (Austral.) Gaz. 14 Sept. 3/3 By following along a well-marked cattle track you will arrive at the mouth of the Shaw river.
1877 S. R. Gardiner Personal Govt. Charles I II. x. 115 Not that causes were wanting to make Charles hesitate to follow on the path on which he had entered.
1928 Boys' Life Mar. 13/1 Following along the trail cautiously, he soon came upon the moccasin track.
2015 V. S. Logue Hiking Tennessee viii. 35/2 Follow along the road and at .31 mile, the trail leaves the road to the right.
b. transitive. Of a road, river, boundary line, etc.: to run alongside or parallel to (another such linear feature); to lie along (a particular route or course). Also more generally, of anything long and narrow: to trace or imitate (the course or outline of something).
ΚΠ
1652 P. Heylyn Cosmographie i. sig. S4 Chief Mountains next unto the Pyrenees... Aurantius Saltus..which beginning not far from the head of the River Iberus, followeth the course of that River by the Citie of Burgos.
1799 S. Murray Descr. Part Scotl. i. in Compan. Scotl., Lakes & Craven 103 The road follows this delightful river nearly to its source at Mosspole.
1861 W. G. Clark in F. Galton Vacation Tourists & Trav. 1860 38 The road at first follows the coast-line.
1940 Manch. Guardian Weekly 15 Mar. 201 The apparatus..takes the form of an electric cable following the line of the hull round the ship's upper deck.
2005 E. S. FitzMaurice et al. Let's go: Roadtripping USA 563/1 The South Platte River follows the road between the two cities.
†c. transitive. To go over the contour of (a piece of turned work) with a tool. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xiii. 221 They smoothen the work with the Edge..of a broken Knife..by following the Work with it: That is, holding the basil'd Edge of the Knife close against the Work while it comes about.
d. transitive. To go towards or move in the direction of (a fixed object or point of reference).
ΚΠ
1883 Evening Gaz. (Monmouth, Illinois) 22 Sept. In the far distance glimmered lights, and moved by a common impulse they followed in their direction as sailors follow a beacon at sea.
1918 Bedford (Indiana) Democrat 7 Aug. How did you find your way, father?..Did you follow the lighthouse light?
2009 J. Skibsrud Sentimentalists (2011) i. 9 The surrounding landscape of West Fargo was so flat that my father could follow the tower, from the other side of town, all the way home.
5. transitive. To watch or trace the movement, direction, or course of (a moving object). Also in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe > follow with eyes
to look after ——OE
followa1393
suea1398
pursue1558
tracea1701
to watch after1850
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iv. l. 1170 Min yhe folweth hire aboute.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) lxxix. sig. U.v The kyng of Orqueney alwayes folowed Arthur with hys eyen.
1566 I. A. tr. Pliny Summarie Antiq. sig. A.vii The Heliotropium in his floure doth turne euery day and follow the sunne.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 381 [He] follow'd with his Eyes the flitting Shade.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto I clx. 83 With prying snub-nose and small eyes he stood Following Antonia's motions here and there.
1913 Pop. Astron. Aug. 449 With a telescope..I followed it [sc. Mercury] until it disappeared behind the western horizon.
1957 Washington Post 28 Sept. d7/1 In the early morning sunlight, the camera follows the paper boy down the street to one of London's urban redevelopment apartment houses.
2011 J. Golding Deadlock vii. 111 Nearly all the men in the room were following her with their eyes.
6. transitive. Mechanics. Of a piece of mechanism or machinery: to derive (motion) from (another piece).
ΚΠ
1841 R. Willis Princ. Mechanism i. i. 19 The act of giving motion to a piece is termed driving it, and that of receiving motion from a piece is termed following it.
1892 Iron Age 14 Jan. 51/1 The steering wheel moves freely in either direction, and as the engine simply follows the movement of this while automatically drawing the chain along, it will be seen that the entire work of steering is done by the engine, which..simply obeys the signal of the wheel.
1947 R. A. Collacott Mech. Vibrations vi. 55 The pulley is driven from the crankshaft by a belt so as to follow the motion of the shaft which is being tested.
2018 European Patent 3,269,497 A1 3 A cam follower member that contacts against and follows the cam member.
II. Extended uses (from branch I.).
7.
a. transitive. To treat or take (a person) as a guide, leader, or master in matters of belief, behaviour, practice, etc.; to accept the authority or example of; to obey the dictates or guidance of; to espouse the opinions of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > imitation > imitate [verb (transitive)] > follow advice, example, etc.
followOE
counterfeitc1405
to shoot atc1407
ensue1430
enfollowc1449
to follow suit with1655
to follow the lead of1863
the world > relative properties > relationship > imitation > imitate [verb (transitive)] > follow a person as an example
followOE
suec1300
counterfeitc1374
to take witness by (also of)c1400
take1544
borrow1549
personate1612
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > retainer or follower > be a retainer or follower of [verb (transitive)]
followOE
suec1300
pursue1488
OE West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) xvi. 13 Ne mæg nan þeow twam hlafordum þeowian, oððe he anne hatað & oðerne lufað, oððe he anum folgað & oðerne forhogað.
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) ii. xvi. 136 Se þe fylgeð drihtene, þæt byð an gast his & drihtnes.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 10503 Iesu crist..Shall..werrpenn all þatt laþe flocc. Þatt deofless hafeþþ follȝhedd. Inn till þe fir off helle pitt.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 4073 Ðe mestres of ðise hore-men, Ðe fendes folgen.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 248 The sympler partie of hem folewiden the worthier and the more wijs partie.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aii Which doctours I folowe most commonly in this pore treatyse.
1666 J. Dryden Let. 10 Nov. in Annus Mirabilis 1666 (1667) sig. a1 Virgil..has been my Master in this Poem: I have followed him everywhere.
1706 F. Atterbury Serm. Funeral Mr. Bennet 4 They [sc. Beasts] follow Nature, in their Desires and Fruitions, carrying them no farther than she directs.
1846 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters II. 211 The sacred painters must not be followed in their frankness of unshadowed colour unless we can also follow them in its clearness.
1969 Light Tower (Fort Wayne Bible Coll.) 3 The best way to be like Christ is, follow him.
2009 R. R. Clewis Kantian Sublime vii. 215 We should follow Kant in grounding the feeling of the sublime on practical freedom.
b. transitive. To be guided by, act in accordance with (one's own nature, feeling, judgement, inclination, etc.). Cf. to follow one's heart at Phrases 6.
ΚΠ
OE Rule St. Benet (Corpus Cambr.) iii. 16 Ne sceal nan mon on mynstre girnan, þæt he his agenum willan folgie.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) Prol. l. 601 I folwed ay myn Inclinacioun By vertu of my constellacioun.
?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis Ful Treat. Imytacyon Cryste (Pynson) iii. xiii. sig. I.i Wherfore sonne flee to folowe thyn owne wyl alway and folowe nat thy pleasour & desyre.
1577 J. Knewstub Lect. 20th Chapter Exodus 41 He hath plainely tolde vs, yt if we followe our owne heart and our eyes, in discerning good and bad, wee shall departe and goe a whoreing from him.
1649 N. Strange in Carier's Motives Conversion Catholic Relig. To Rdr. 17 A Suist, one that followes his own dreams or fancy in choice of Scripture, in the interpretation of it, and in every particular concerning Religion.
1834 Pearl & Lit. Gaz. 12 Apr. 142/1 I soon found I had neither government to restrain, nor wisdom to guide those who so long had been left to follow their own wayward inclinations.
1956 E. Fromm Art of Loving ii. 16 All obeying the same commands, yet everybody being convinced that he is following his own desires.
2007 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (Nexis) 29 Aug. (Metro ed.) 4 b I'm looking for someone who'll listen to everyone but follow their own judgment.
†c. transitive. To ally oneself with, give one's support to (a particular faction, side, or cause). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > party or faction > side with [verb (transitive)]
to take (a) part witha1470
to hold sides1490
to take the part ofc1500
partake1546
follow1548
side1585
party1587
part1669
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or backing > support, side with, or back [verb (transitive)]
werea1300
to be abouta1400
support?a1439
to go with ——a1475
outbear1530
follow1548
subscribe1560
second1596
suffrage1614
to wait on ——1639
subjoin1810
suffrage1838
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > support or encourage [verb (transitive)] > take someone's side or side with
favoura1375
to stand with ——1384
takec1400
to take (a) part witha1470
to hold sides1490
to take the part ofc1500
to stick with ——1523
partake1546
follow1548
to join issue1551
to make with ——1559
favourize1585
side1585
party1587
to take in1597
part1669
to fall in1709
to take for ——1770
to take up for1824
range1874
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clxix Fauoryng and folowyng the part of kyng Henry.
a1608 F. Thynne Applic. Certain Hist. conc. Ambassadours (1651) vii. 103 Valerius..after offering them 3000. peeces of gold did tempt them to follow the part of Attichus the usurped Bishop of Constantinople.
1700 Fontvive tr. M. le Vassor Hist. Reign Lewis XIII I. ii. 94 This Quarrel made a great noise at Court, every one followed that side his Passion or Interest led him to.
1830 Westm. Rev. Apr. 468 He..assigns these services as the reasons which bind him to follow the cause of his benefactors.
d. transitive. Of one person in a partner dance: to dance according to (the lead of the other partner); to take (the actions of a partner) as a guide. Also intransitive.
ΚΠ
1922 C. J. Coll & G. Rosiere Dancing made Easy (rev. ed.) 249 The woman who is incorrectly held cannot with grace or facility follow the leading of her partner.
1953 I. F. Waglow Social Dance for Students & Teachers i. 5 Complicated step patterns should not be attempted with a new partner until the gentleman has ascertained the ability of his partner to follow.
2015 K. Davis Dancing Tango ii. 62 Being able to follow is complicated, requiring months and even years of painstaking effort and practice to learn.
8.
a.
(a) transitive. To comply with (an order, law, etc.), to act upon (advice); to take as a rule or model; to proceed in accordance with (a plan, system, method, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > carrying out > observance or carrying out a promise, law, etc. > observe or carry out a promise, law, etc. [verb (transitive)] > advice, method, or principle
followOE
to draw after ——c1175
pursuec1390
observec1475
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > observe [verb (transitive)] > abide by
followOE
to stand at ——c1300
to stand to ——c1300
conservec1425
stand?1435
OE Cynewulf Elene 929 He forlæteð lare þine ond manþeawum minum folgaþ.
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 2nd Ser. (Cambr. Gg.3.28) xxix. 255 Augustinus trahtnunge we fyliað, on ðisum godspelle.
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 185 Wule nu þanne foleg seinte andreues faire forbisne.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 99 Þis uerste word..yef hit is wel onderstonde, and yuolȝed.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1963) Judges xix. 3 Hir man folewide hir wilynge to ben recouncilid [a1425 L.V. be recounselid; L. reconciliari] to hir.
?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 252 Ȝyf ȝe wole folwe myn intent.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xxi. §16. 79 As hundes folus ther custom in berkyng and bitynge.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Sam. xvii. 23 His counsell was not followed . View more context for this quotation
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 483 Most men admire Vertue, who follow not her lore. View more context for this quotation
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 262 Our Men..followed their Orders.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 446 Had his advice been followed, the laws would have been strictly observed.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 5 Voltaire..did not refuse to follow an adversary's bad example.
1991 Engineering July 12/1 Since the early 1980s the Government has followed a policy of ‘value for money’ in defence equipment procurement.
2004 Sporting Gun Mar. 26/3 If you follow those very basic, simple rules you're not going to have a problem.
†(b) intransitive with to. To act in accordance with a recommendation, instruction, etc. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > obedience > obey or be obedient to [verb (transitive)]
hearsumc900
hearc950
buxomc1305
obeya1325
servea1325
obeisha1382
obtempera1475
obtemperate?a1475
follow1523
mind1559
obseque1720
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. cccxiiii/2 He counsayled them to yelde vp the towne, sauynge their bodyes and goodes, to the whiche counsayle they were gladde to folowe.
b. transitive. To resemble, take after (a person or thing); to imitate or copy (something). Now with admixture of sense 8a(a).In quot. OE translating a use of post-classical Latin imitativus imitative adj. in sense ‘(of poetry) mimetic’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > render similar to [verb (transitive)] > conform or model on
followOE
configure1382
mirror1593
OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) iii. iii. 162 Þæt ys on Lyden acti[u]um opus uel imitatiuum. Þas word tacniað þa þing þe beoð cyrtenlice geset oððe þe beo[ð] to fyligeanne.
lOE Glosses to Distichs of Cato (Rawl. G.57) in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1906) 117 24 Imitare [deum] : filge þu.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) Envoy l. 13 Folweth Ekko, that holdeth no silence.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. xxviii. 58 We had rather follow the perfections of them whome we like not, than in defects resemble them whome we loue.
1615 T. Adams Spirituall Nauigator 41 in Blacke Devill Glasse among stones, is as a foole amongst men. For it..followes precious stones in colour, not in virtue.
1674 A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 281 Mr[s]. Betty her daughter followes her.
1810 A. Wilson Amer. Ornithol. II. 17 In measure and accent, he [sc. the Mocking-bird] faithfully follows his originals.
1924 N.Y. Times 9 May 17/4 A memorial chapel to follow in design the chapel at Eton College, England, is to be erected.
2006 Yale French Stud. No. 110. 39 Its style follows closely that of the romances of Chrétien de Troyes.
†c. intransitive. To incline to a particular quality or condition. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)]
wryc888
driveOE
drawc1175
rine?c1225
soundc1374
tendc1374
lean1398
clinea1400
movec1450
turnc1450
recline?a1475
covet1520
intend?1521
extenda1533
decline?1541
bow1562
bend1567
follow1572
inflecta1575
incline1584
warpa1592
to draw near1597
squint1599
nod1600
propend1605
looka1616
verge1664
gravitate1673
set1778
slant1850
trend1863
tilt1967
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 508 Thow fand me fechand nathing that followit to feid.
9. transitive. To practise (a way of life, habit, activity, etc.); to engage in, occupy oneself with, apply oneself to; esp. to practise (a trade or profession) as a career.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > follow (a course of behaviour) [verb (transitive)]
followOE
pursue1638
steer1699
the world > action or operation > doing > practice, exercise, or doing > practise or carry on [verb (transitive)]
doeOE
followOE
holda1100
found1340
exercec1374
enhaunta1382
usea1398
proceed1399
apply?c1400
practise?c1430
exercise1467
takea1500
plya1513
enure1549
prosecute1567
inurea1577
manage1579
to stand on ——1599
to carry on1638
cultivate1654
the world > action or operation > behaviour > way of life > follow (a way of life) [verb (transitive)]
followOE
usec1390
society > occupation and work > working > [verb (transitive)]
suec1300
usec1300
followa1400
occupy?c1400
playc1410
practise1421
pursuec1485
lie1546
do1703
OE Wulfstan Institutes of Polity (Junius) 124 Riht is þæt munecas..fylian heora bocum and gebedum georne, leornian and læran.
a1225 ( Ælfric's Homily De Duodecim Abusivis (Lamb. 487) in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 119 Monie þewas [OE Corpus Cambr. 178 wegas]..ledað to deðe on ende þa þe heom duseliche folȝiað.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 36 Hi destrueþ and makeþ beggeres þe knyȝtes: and þe heȝemen þet uolȝeþ þe tornemens.
a1400 Cato's Distichs (Fairf.) l. 63 in R. Morris Cursor Mundi (1878) III. App. iv. 1670 Quat werk þou folow salle.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 286 Lucius Lucullus after hauyng a long space folowed the trade of warre, gaue hymself..vnto al sensualitee.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. iii. 92 O had I but followed the Arts. View more context for this quotation
1624 J. Rolfe in J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iv. 125 Euery man followed his building and planting.
1744 Philos. Trans. 1740–41 (Royal Soc.) 41 641 He was following his work, as usual.
1800 P. Colquhoun Treat. Commerce & Police R. Thames Pref. p. i Those..who follow Nautical Pursuits.
1864 D. G. Mitchell Seven Stories 269 He followed the profession of an artist.
2018 Great Yarmouth Mercury (Nexis) 9 Feb. It was always his ambition to follow a career in medicine.
10.
a. transitive. To try to obtain (an object of desire); to endeavour to reach or attain (a condition, quality, etc.); to strive for, aim at.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (transitive)] > pursue object of desire
followOE
court1639
OE tr. Theodulf of Orleans Capitula (Corpus Cambr.) xxviii. 347 Þonne beoden hig hyra gyngrum þæt hig..secen sybbe ond folgien þære [OE Bodl. fylgen þa; L. sequantur eam].
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3513 Forr þatt he lufeþþ alle þa Þatt soþ clænnesse follȝhenn.
a1225 (?OE) MS Vesp. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 237 Se gode man þe godes lufe hað ȝefolged.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1965) Ecclus. xxxi. 7 Þe tre of offencioun [L. Lignum offensionis] is gold of men sacrefiynge, wo to þem þat folewen it.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 33 Dekunis to be chast, not..fowlowing fowle wynning.
1539 Bible (Great) Heb. xii. 14 Folowe peace wyth all men.
1620 R. Whittle Way to Celestiall Paradise ii. viii. 205 To sit at the wine and to follow strong drinke, is his delight.
1754 Earl of Chatham Lett. to Nephew (1804) iv. 24 Venture to own frankly, that you came to Cambridge to learn what you can, not to follow what they are pleased to call pleasure.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Vivien in Idylls of King 118 I follow fame.
1948 Trial Major War Criminals before Internat. Mil. Tribunal, Nuremberg, 1945–6 XVIII. 55 With what energy he followed his goal of seeing his Austrian homeland incorporated into the German Reich.
2006 Express (Nexis) 25 Feb. 111 I had gambled everything on football—I had stopped school to follow the one ambition I had.
†b. intransitive. Of a person: to proceed with, or continue doing, something begun. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > progress or advance in an action [verb (intransitive)]
wadec1374
passc1387
proceeda1393
followa1400
to pass ona1400
to get forward1523
pace1597
step1599
to get on1655
to get along1768
to tide one's way1827
to come along1844
press1870
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12197 Ihesus þan folud on his speke.
c1450 (a1400) Chevalere Assigne l. 310 in W. H. French & C. B. Hale Middle Eng. Metrical Romances (1930) 870 Euur folowe þou on þe flesh tylle þou haste hym falleth.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) i. l. 180 I will folow apon my proces haile.
†c. transitive. To pursue or continue (an affair, a course of action, etc.) to its completion; (chiefly Scottish) to pursue (a suit or claim) in a court of law. Also: to enforce (the law) on, upon a person; to bring (a charge or action) against a person. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > enforce [verb (transitive)]
follow1425
force1580
enforcea1616
to put in force1856
the world > action or operation > continuing > following up, through, or prosecution > follow up, through, or out [verb (transitive)]
suec1325
pursuea1393
follow1425
pass1473
prosecute?a1475
ensue1509
convey1530
persecute1546
to follow on?1557
transact1636
to follow up1659
to follow up on1927
1425 in Rec. Parl. Scotl. to 1707 (2007) 1425/2/25 Geyff thar be ony pur creatour for defaut of kunnyng or dyspensis is nocht of powar or can nocht folow his cause.
1501 in E. Beveridge Burgh Rec. Dunfermline (1917) 116 To persew and follov the sade bref.
a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) ii. sig. Aiii Ne could I fool refrein my tong from thretes..to folowe my reuenge.
c1585 R. Browne Answere to Cartwright 55 We shoulde first followe the Lawe on them, to thrust them out of the sheepefolde.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 i. i. 21 O such a day! So fought, so followed, and so fairely wonne. View more context for this quotation
1608 D. Tuvill Ess. Politicke, & Morall f. 28 For that he did egerlie follow the extreamitie of law against a certaine friende of his.
1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius War with Vandals ii. 43 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian Belisarius followed no execution, thinking it enough with so small an Army to beat the enemy, and send him going.
1767 W. Bolts Let. 19 June in Parl. Papers: Minutes Select Comm. E. India Company (1772) 87/1 I will follow the affair to the last court of Justice.
†11.
a. transitive. Chiefly Scottish. To begin or pursue legal proceedings against (a person); to prosecute, indict (a person). Also intransitive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > carry on or institute (an action) [verb (transitive)] > sue or institute action against
pleada1325
implead1387
follow1389
pursue1454
process1493
to put in suit1495
to call (a person) unto the law?a1513
sue1526
suit1560
prosecute1579
to fetch a person over the hips1587
trounce1638
law1647
prosecute1656
action1734
to fetch law of1832
court1847
chicane1865
actionize1871
run1891
1389 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt Bk. London Eng. (1931) 43 (MED) If any debate be bytwene any of þe brotherede..non of hem schal folwe aȝen oþer in none maner, til þe wardeines & þe bretheren han assayed wheþer þey mowe accorden hem in gode manere; & if þey nulleth nouȝt accorden in þis maner, vche do his beste by þe lawe.
1426 in Rec. Parl. Scotl. to 1707 (2007) 1426/10 The party skathit sall folow the party trespassand eftir the course of the ald lawis of the realme.
1466 in T. Thomson Acts Lords Auditors (1839) 5/2 [He] comperit nouþer be himself nor his procuraturis to folow þaim.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus iii. f. 38v Heir in I stand As pleis your grace, to follow or declame.
c1626 H. Bisset Rolment Courtis (1920) I. 229 The persewer quha compeiris nocht to follow his pairtie sall pay the expenssis.
b. transitive. To punish (an offence, an offender). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)]
threac897
tighta1000
beswinkc1175
punisha1325
chastise1362
paina1375
justifya1393
wage1412
reformc1450
chasten1526
thwart over thumba1529
chastifyc1540
amerce?1577
follow1579
to rap (a person) on the knuckles (also fingers)1584
finea1616
mulcta1620
fita1625
vindicate1632
trounce1657
reward1714
tawse1790
sort1815
to let (a person) have it1823
visit1836
to catch or get Jesse1839
to give, get goss1840
to have ita1848
to take (a person) to the woodshed1882
to give (one) snuff1890
soak1892
give1906
to weigh off1925
to tear down1938
zap1961
slap1968
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 19 [Theseus] There was no man at that time that dyd followe or pursue his death.
1593 T. Bilson Perpetual Govt. Christes Church 295 Were you but once or twise well followed for other mens faultes, you woulde soone waxe weary of this generall and confused execution.
12.
a.
(a) transitive. To keep up intellectually with (an argument, narrative, train of thought, etc.) so as to grasp its sequence and meaning; to keep up with and understand (a person) as he or she speaks, reasons, recounts, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)] > keep up with
follow1667
to go with ——1873
to keep track1883
to be with1900
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrange [verb (transitive)] > attend to the order of
follow1667
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > process of reasoning, ratiocination > argument, source of conviction > use as basis [verb] > follow
suea1393
follow1667
1667 R. Baxter Reasons Christian Relig. i. v. 30 If our understandings were but able to follow and comprehend that wonderfull method in the numerous, minute and less discernable particulars.
1782 Ld. Monboddo Antient Metaphysics II. v. vi. 410 A metaphysician may be able to show that he has erred in these principles, without being able to follow him through all the deductions that he has made concerning the Motions of the Celestial Bodies.
1865 ‘L. Carroll’ Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ix. 134 I think I should understand that better..if I had it written down: but I can't quite follow it as you say it.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 61 I don't quite follow you, he said.
1929 R. Aldington Let. 14 Apr. (2003) 198 Some of your last letter puzzles me—we have been out of touch so long that I don't always follow your elliptic expressions.
2017 Kirkus Rev. (Nexis) 1 Sept. The charming and energetic story is easy to follow.
(b) intransitive. To keep up with and understand an argument, narrative, train of thought, etc.; to understand a person as he or she speaks, reasons, recounts, etc.
ΚΠ
1904 ‘R. C. Carton’ Lady Huntworth's Exper. (N.Y. ed.) i. 21 Lucy. The only thing is, you seem to be entering upon a matrimonial campaign without any transports. Dor. I don't follow.
1922 J. Buchan Huntingtower xiv. 265 I've telled the one-armed man..that he maun keep on the move, watchin' to see if they try the front door or any o' the other windies. If they do, he takes his station there. D'ye follow?
1974 Financial Times 13 July 9/6 All the basic techniques are described so simply that anybody with the slightest interest in the subject should be able to follow easily.
1996 A. Ghosh Calcutta Chromosome (1997) xv. 103 ‘I don't follow,’ said Antar. ‘What you're saying doesn't make sense.’
b. transitive. To read, scan, or look over (a written text, script, musical score, etc.), esp. while hearing it performed or read aloud.
ΚΠ
1857 J. Lowe tr. V. Schœlcher Life Handel vii. 218 The one shilling pit was filled with a compact crowd of persons, among whom I have noticed many who were following the score with small octavo editions.
1924 Daily Mail 11 Oct. 13/1 You listen to the Record and follow the text in the book supplied.
1977 P. Hill Liars ii. 9 A group of relatives were following the words of a sing-along record.
2002 Guardian 18 July ii. 9/2 The rustling of paper as people followed the printed score (thoughtfully handed out beforehand).
13.
a. transitive. To take an active interest in and keep oneself informed about (a sphere of activity, course of events, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > take notice of, heed [verb (transitive)] > pay due or particular attention to
acknowledge?1526
regard1526
observe1560
advise?1567
distinguish1607
follow1824
to tip one's hat (or cap)1975
1824 Monthly Rev. Apr. 426 Such of our readers as have attended to the scientific productions of the last few years..will have followed with interest the controversy.
1896 Engin. Mag. 11 841 No one who has followed closely the events of the past four years can doubt that the revolution is well-nigh accomplished.
1920 Jrnl. Educ. (Univ. of Boston School of Educ.) 9 Sept. 213/1 We have followed her progress with keenest interest.
2019 Worcester News (Nexis) 8 May For any of us who follow the news, there is no escaping the fact that these are increasingly tough times for business.
b. transitive. spec. To be actively interested in the success of, be a supporter or fan of (a particular sports team).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > supporting > support [verb (transitive)]
support1843
follow1931
1931 Harper's Mag. Dec. 58/2 I was real glad..to know that you are following our team, and that you have my picture up in your bedroom.
1953 Queensland Times 9 May 5/2 The man..was watching the game closely through binoculars... ‘Which team do you follow?’ asked Bill. ‘None. I am just interested,’ was the reply.
1993 R. Doyle Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha (1994) 167 They both followed United.
2018 New Yorker 25 June 66/1 In soccer terms, I am what is known as a ‘neutral’, someone who loves the sport but doesn't follow any particular club or team.
c. transitive. To keep oneself informed about the activities or postings of (a person, group, etc.) by subscribing to their account on a social media website or application.Originally with reference to the social networking website Twitter (launched in 2006): cf. tweet v. 2.
ΚΠ
2007 J. Tropea libraryclips.blogsome.com 9 Mar. (blog, Internet Archive Wayback Machine 12 Mar. 2007) When you view a user on Twitter it shows you their stream, and you can also see another stream including who they follow as well.
2009 T. Weinberg New Community Rules vi. 145 You can find out who is following you (or not) with a number of powerful tools, and you can also see exactly what you may have done or tweeted that prompted people to add you or to scrap you as a friend.
2012 Irish Examiner (Nexis) 9 Oct. For the latest information on The Savoy, Cork, follow the venue on Facebook.
14. transitive. Of a story, novel, film, etc.: to trace the progress or development of (a character, series of events, etc.).
ΚΠ
1835 G. Stephens Manuscripts of Erdély II. xxiii. 325 The course of our story follows, at present, the fortunes of its hero.
1959 Virginia Q. Rev. 35 p. xi/2 This first novel follows, with an unnecessary amount of detail, the lives of two New York school girls during a critical period of adolescence.
2014 M. Gallagher in C. Holmlund Ultimate Stallone Reader 105 The film follows a group of Allied prisoners of war who accept an offer to play an exhibition football match against the German national team.
15. transitive. To use (a hyperlink) in order to access a web page, file, etc.
ΚΠ
1987 comp.society 18 Dec. (Usenet newsgroup, accessed 24 Oct. 2019) An extensive hypertext sytem [sic]..with links that can be followed in seconds..would be a tool for me to get the information I need.
1992 F. Sarre & U. Güntzer in A. Makinouchi Database Syst. Adv. Appl. '91 502/1 A user is then able to follow a link by a simple mouse click.
2019 Sunday Express (Nexis) 14 Apr. 20 Visit www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com and follow the link to the ‘Book Now’ section.
III. To come after in sequence or time and related senses.
16.
a. transitive. To happen or occur after (something) in time; to come after (something) as an event; to succeed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > succession or following in time > succeed or follow [verb (transitive)]
followOE
suec1400
ensue1491
succeed?1526
sequel1594
pursue1658
supervene1661
survene1665
succeed1687
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xxxii. 458 Ðam ne fyligð merigenlic dæg, for þam ðe him ne forestop se gysternlica, ac se an dæg bið ece.
1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 15 (MED) Ye sonday next folowande ye Epiphany.
c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 201 (MED) The tyme which folewiþ þe departyng of þe soule from þe body.
1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age ii. ii. ii. 235 One misfortune followes another.
1729 A. Pope Dunciad (new ed.) iii. 335 Signs following signs lead on the Mighty Year.
1835 J. Hogg Tales Wars Montrose II. 142 Punishment must follow conviction, not antecede it.
1953 Chicago Tribune 1 Mar. g18/3 Grapefruit alaska is a spectacular desert that is light enough to follow a hearty meal.
2016 BusinessWorld (Nexis) 13 Jan. s1/6 A period of global warming for decades is followed by a period of global cooling.
b. intransitive. To happen or occur later than something else in time; to come next as an event; to ensue. Also with after, on, upon.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > succession or following in time > ensue or come next [verb (intransitive)]
followOE
succeedc1450
ensue1485
supervene1636
survene1666
to roll on ——1681
OE Regularis Concordia (Tiber.) in Englische Studien (1886) 9 296 Æfter þysan folgian æftersanges, and æfter Miserere mei Deus togeycean hi twegen sealmas for þam cyncge.
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) iii. xxxviii. 258 Æfter þon þa ondrysnlican tacnu wæron fylgende in þam heofone & wæron gesægene swylce speru & fyrene flana.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 9565 Þe reord gaþ aȝȝ. Biforenn i þi spæche. & siþþenn follȝheþþ aȝȝ þe word. Swa summ þe reord itt ledeþþ.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. ii. vii. 69 Aftir purgacioun folewiþ illuminacioun, perfeccioun, and consummacioun.
a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 120 If þe crampe folowe it is deedly.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. ciijv The Castle was almoste vndermined, so that yeldyng must folowe.
1688 J. Smith Compl. Disc. Baroscope 65 If Fair Weather follows immediately upon the Mercury's Rising.
1847 J. Yeowell Chron. Anc. Brit. Church iii. 28 That the martyrdom of this blessed apostle followed very shortly after the writing of this Epistle.
1888 Mrs. H. Ward Robert Elsmere I. i. iii. 54 That state which so often follows on the long confinement of illness.
1903 R. Langbridge Flame & Flood ii. 10 A rich-souled organ poured out its absolution; following on the voice of the violin.
2005 Bridlington Free Press (Nexis) 14 Dec. There then followed a period of play when, basically, Bridlington were hanging on.
17.
a. transitive. To come after (something) in sequence or series; to come after (something) in order (of superiority, importance, etc.).
ΚΠ
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xxxvi. 494 Se æftemysta cwyde..nis neogoða, ac fyligð þære eahteoþan eadignysse.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. viii. ix. 463 Som signes beþ iclepid domus succedentes for louynge [read folowynge] angulis, as Taurus, þat folewiþ þe signe þat hatte Aries.
a1500 (c1477) T. Norton Ordinal of Alchemy (BL Add.) (1975) l. 1813 As the Amatyste folowith the Rubie in dignyte, In las clernys, & in more obscuryte.
c1620 A. Hume Of Orthogr. Britan Tongue (1870) ii. xi. §8 Not is an adverb,..and in our tong followes the verb that it nulleth.
1760 D. Bellamy Compend. Brit. Grammarian in J. Marchant New Compl. Universal Dict. p. xx When the Vowel u immediately follows the Consonant g, it not only loses its own Sound but contributes towards the hardening of the preceding Letter.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. vii. 51 Transverse ridges which follow each other in succession down the slope.
1922 W. J. Spillman Picture of Grain Industry (Amer. Instit. Agric.) 56 Rye is the leading cereal in the Netherlands, followed closely by wheat.
2015 J. Farrell Microsoft Visual C# 2015 (ed. 6) p. xxii Following each chapter is a summary that recaps the programming concepts and techniques covered in the chapter.
b. intransitive. To come after something else in order or sequence. In early use sometimes impersonal with infinitive as complement, as in quot. 1558.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > succession or following in time > ensue or come next [verb (intransitive)] > follow in order or sequence
followOE
suec1384
succeedc1400
pursue1485
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xl. 526 Ðas word sind gecwedene be þam wiðercorenum, ac her fyliað þa word þe ða gecorenan frefriað.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 12 Þe þridde article and the vifte þet uolȝeþ efter belongeþ to þe zone.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 19135 Þe toþer dai þat folwid neste.
1486 Bk. St. Albans sig. diii Now foloys the naamys of all maner of hawkys.
1558 Bp. T. Watson Holsome Doctr. Seuen Sacramentes xx. f. cxixv After that ye haue learned (good people) the necessitie of Confession..: nowe it followeth to be declared what a sinner oughte to do in makinge his confession.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 292 Vegetius hauing commended the Persian horsses saith, that the Armenians and Sapharens do follow next.
1651 Royal Game Picquet viii. 13 These are, Tierces, Quartes, Quintes..; according to the number of Cards which he hath of the same suit, which follow in sequence.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 58. ¶6 The Subject of it (as in the rest of the Poems which follow).
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. ii. 25 Beat what follows, if you can.
1915 Art & Progress 6 334/1 Sacred art of the early centuries is first dealt with, then follows a chapter on Byzantine Art.
2008 I. Armstrong Victorian Glassworlds xi. 272 Two shorter chapters, on micro images, follow.
18.
a. transitive. To come after or succeed (something) as a consequence or effect; to result from. In later use sometimes difficult to distinguish from sense 16a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > effect, result, or consequence > be caused by or result from [verb (transitive)]
comeeOE
followOE
suec1390
enda1400
ensuec1530
redound1565
to come on ——1568
to fall out upon1579
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) iii. 202 Heora arleasnysse filigde se eca deað, & þæt ece lif filigde his deaðe.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2987 Sinne..Forrblendeþþ all þin heorrte. Swa-þatt itt litell nimeþþ gom Hu mikell pine itt follȝheþþ.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xix. viii. 1279 Medlyng of coloures foloweþ þe medlyng of elements.
a1450 (a1401) Chastising of God's Children (Bodl.) (1957) 147 (MED) Sum tyme of þe largenesse of þe ȝift of god, peyne folwiþ þe trespas.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. D1v Mistie night Couers the shame that followes sweet delight. View more context for this quotation
1621 J. Fletcher et al. Trag. of Thierry & Theodoret i. ii. sig. B4 A duety well discharg'd is neuer follow'd By sad repentance.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in Poems (new ed.) II. 8 What good should follow this, if this were done? What harm, undone?
1998 J. J. Mitchell Nat. Limitations of Youth i. iii. 32 The adolescent has a limited ability to estimate the likelihood that negative consequences will follow a particular action.
b. intransitive. To occur as a consequence or effect of something; to result. Frequently with from, †of. Often impersonal with a clause as complement, in it follows (that).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > effect, result, or consequence > result [verb (intransitive)]
followOE
sue?c1225
arisec1275
fallc1300
result?a1425
ensue1483
enfollow1485
issuea1500
rebounda1500
succeed1537
terminate1613
concludea1639
depend1655
eventuate1814
ultimatec1834
come1884
translate1919
OE Rule St. Benet (Corpus Cambr.) xxxix. 63 Stande se eaca on ðæs abbodes dome, þæt þonne swa sy foresceawod, swa þær næfre oferfyl ne filige [a1225 Winteney fylige].
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. i. 229 So it foloweþ þat þey þat beeþ wel i-cloþed..forsakeþ nouȝt al þing.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 2892 Fleis þat sine ouer al þis erde, Þe wreche þat foluis haue ȝe herd.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 132 If this be trewe, thanne..it muste nedis folewe that [etc.].
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iii. iii. 51 In a short time it followed, that could not be had for a pound of Copper, which before was sould vs for an ounce.
1680 J. Dryden Kind Keeper i. i. 9 But what follow'd of this dumb Interview?
1698 J. Keill Exam. Burnet's Theory Earth iv. 65 These are the effects which..would necessarily follow from the position of the Earths axis.
a1770 J. Jortin Serm. (1771) II. iii. 44 Though we have received a general command to pray for our enemies,..yet it follows not thence, First, that Christian nations may not wage war with their enemies.
1843 J. S. Mill Syst. Logic I. ii. i. §1 We say of a fact or statement, that it is proved, when we believe its truth by reason of some other fact or statement from which it is said to follow.
1918 Z. Flint Playing the Game 12 The big point in securing converts to systematic saving is to induce right thinking—get the psychology straight and the rest will follow automatically.
1966 A. Gilpin Dict. Econ. Terms 219 If wages rose above subsistence level an increase in population would inevitably follow.
2016 S. B. Hagar Public Debt, Inequality, & Power 100 It follows logically from this observation that the strengthening of progressive tax policies..would help to combat inequality.
19.
a. transitive. To continue (an affair, activity, etc.) with, by further action; to provide (a thing) with a sequel or a successor; to supplement, add to (something).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > succession or following in time > succeed or follow [verb (transitive)] > provide with a sequel or successor
follow1580
to follow up1657
1580 W. Charke Answere to Seditious Pamphlet sig. D.vv You..are knowen to make this prayer, and to followe your prayers with practises.
1632 J. Vicars tr. Virgil XII Aeneids ix. 267 Ascanius,..Expressing wisely manly filiall feares, Follows them fast, with prayers and messages.
1671 R. Head & F. Kirkman Eng. Rogue IV. ix. sig. K7 At the first blow, I thought he had cut me in two, following that with three or four more.
1745 tr. L. J. M. Columella Of Husbandry viii. xvi. 372 When he..had tasted of a pike..and had spitten it out, he followed the impudent and naughty action with a jest.
1860 N. Hawthorne Marble Faun I. xxv. 273 Old Stella placed a cold fowl upon the table, and quickly followed it with a savory omelet.
1901 J. Black Illustr. Carpenter & Builder Ser.: Home Handicrafts 42 It is more general to pass the paperhanger's brush down it first and follow this by applying a paperhanger's roller.
1956 Manch. Guardian 6 Apr. 16/2 (advt.) Revlon followed this success by launching a new lipstick shade,..largely on ATV television.
1994 Rolling Stone 25 Aug. 89/1 Black has followed his debut with Teenager of the Year, an even more unrelentingly idiosyncratic and solipsistic record than his first effort.
b. intransitive. Of a person: to do something subsequently to, in response to, or in continuation of a prior action or event; to act, play, or perform next in turn or sequence.
ΚΠ
1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. x. 191 Having thus described the parts of a Common Lathe, I shall now follow with their other Tools also.
1825 Examiner 13 Nov. 721/1 Mazurier..followed with his impossible contortions.
1844 G. L. Smyth Ireland I. ix. 354 Robert Boyle expended £700 in printing an edition of the New Testament in Irish during the year 1681, and Bishop Bedell followed with a translation of the Old Testament in 1685.
1889 Boston Daily Advertiser 5 Oct. 6/1 Mitchell followed with a splendidly served ball which Tallant could not return, and gained the advantage point.
1917 N.Y. Times 29 May 12/1 Leonard sent over a right-hand blow, and followed with a light left.
2005 P. Girard Bora Laskin i. 30 His father followed with a speech in Yiddish and the two younger brothers also spoke.
†20. transitive. To be second or inferior to. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > [verb (transitive)]
follow1632
1632 P. Massinger & N. Field Fatall Dowry ii. sig. E3v Her education Followes not any.

Phrases

P1. to follow in a person's steps (or footsteps) (also to follow a person's steps (or footsteps)) and variants: to do something another person has done before; to treat a person as a guide or authority; to take a person's example as a model. Cf. footstep n. 1b.In quots. OE1, OE2 showing Old English fōt-swæþ footprint. With quot. a1250 cf. tread n. 1.See also to follow the trace at trace n.1 1b. [Compare classical Latin vestīgia sequī (compare quot. OE2).]
ΚΠ
OE Ælfric Homily (Paris Lat. 943) in R. Brotanek Texte u. Untersuchungen zur altenglischen Lit. u. Kirchengeschichte (1913) 12 Þeos is seo wise stuntnys þæt man woruldþing forseo..& Cristes fotswaðum folgie.
OE Hymns (Vesp. D.xii) xxxv. 4 in H. Gneuss Hymnar u. Hymnen im englischen Mittelalter (1968) 303 Eius mortem sequuntur et vestigia per crucem : hys deað hy folgodon & fotswaþa þruh rode.
a1250 (?c1200) Hali Meiðhad (Titus) (1940) l. 193 He seð þe folhen hire treoden.
a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 90 Cassiodorus..mad a nobel werk upon the Sauter, folowyng mech the steppes of Seynt Augustin.
1658 J. Robinson Calm Ventilation Pseudodoxia Epidemica in Endoxa 143 When we follow the steps of dubious guides, we may soon aberre from the way of truth.
1749 J. Brekell Divine Oracles ii. 110 He quotes the fathers promiscuously in behalf of tradition... Thus, like a thorough-paced traditionist he hath closely followed the leading steps of certain writers.
1848 R. I. Wilberforce Doctr. Incarnation Jesus Christ xiv. 494 The Philosopher of Konigsberg, following in a measure in Plato's steps, took the laws of man's inner nature as an axiomatic foundation in his search after truth.
1909 N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 31 The English portrait men of the same period,..although fine painters, simply followed in the tracks of the old masters.
1942 Diamond of Psi Upsilon Jan. 79/1 Jacobs..is following the footsteps of his father as a teacher of the law.
2018 Morning Bull. (Rockhampton, Queensland) (Nexis) 14 May 8 Following in the footsteps of her brothers, Alex and Dominic, Georgiana..has taken this year's Rockhampton Eisteddfod by storm.
P2. impersonal. as follows: a prefatory formula used to introduce something, such as a statement, enumeration, or list. Cf. sense 16.The use of as follow with the verb follow in the plural is sometimes considered incorrect: see quots. 1776, 1797.In earliest use with adverb.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [adverb] > below or hereafter (in a later part of a book, etc.) > as follows
as follows1385
followingly?c1425
1385 in D. Macpherson et al. Rotuli Scotiae (1819) II. 73/1 The forsayd lordes are acordit..as efter folowes.
1428 in J. Raine Vol. Eng. Misc. N. Counties Eng. (1890) 9 Apon whylk commonyng, when yai come hame, was done afterwarde als her fast folowys.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxlvij He openly sayde as foloweth.
1659 Occurr. Forraigne Parts No. 1. 8 This day all the East India ships arrived safely in the Texel, the Cargosom of whose goods are as follows.
1776 G. Campbell Philos. of Rhetoric I. ii. iv. 495 Analogy as well as usage favour this mode of expression. ‘The conditions of the agreement were as follows’; and not as follow. A few late writers have inconsiderately adopted this last form through a mistake of the construction.
1797 W. Godwin Enquirer ii. xii. §1. 374 The reasons that dissuade us..are as follow.
1843 J. S. Mill Syst. Logic I. i. iii. §7 There are philosophers who have argued as follows.
1931 R. R. Merton tr. P. D. Ouspensky New Model of Universe v. 207 This makes 56 cards divided into four suits.., named as follows: Wands (clubs), Cups (hearts), Swords (spades), and Pentacles or discs (diamonds).
2015 E. D. Alexander Rattling of Chains I. ii. 47 In ranking order of importance in how they shrink your profits, they are as follow.
P3. to follow the sea (also river): to be a sailor or mariner. Now archaic.
ΚΠ
1568 T. Hacket tr. A. Thevet New Found Worlde lxviii. f. 109 I will speake..for the instruction of those that wil folow the sea.
1709 ‘B. Slush’ Navy Royal 89 He who in time of Peace follows the Sea, as his proper Vocation, does..expect being Prest when a War breaks out.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island ii. x. 79 Mr. Trelawney had followed the sea.
1885 U. S. Grant Personal Mem. I. xxi. 288 There were also many men in town whose occupation had been following the river in various capacities, from captain down to deck hand.
2009 J. Martin Live all you Can 2 Alexander Joy was raised to follow the sea.
P4. to follow a person to the grave.
a. Of an immaterial thing: to pursue, beset, or be associated with a person until his or her death; to be a persistent (usually harmful or undesirable) presence throughout someone's life.
ΚΠ
1583 T. Tymme tr. A. Marlorat Catholike & Eccles. Expos. Gospell Marke & Luke (Luke xvi. 22) 262/1 The riche man was sumptuously buried accordinge to his riches, some parte of his Pompe and pride following him to the Graue.
1660 S. L. Three Serm. 9 The curse of Jehoiakim King of Judah, shall follow him to his grave.
1844 E. A. Friedlænder tr. F. Bremer Neighbours II. 279 There are events in my life which I shall never forget, recollections which will follow me to the grave.
1913 Munsey's Mag. Feb. 853/2 You're starting [your son]..with a bad handicap..—the inheritance of a bad name. Take my word for it, there isn't any escape for him. This thing will follow him to the grave.
2019 San Diego Union-Tribune (Nexis) 9 Feb. c3 Education debt can follow you to the grave.
b. Of a person: to die after another person (typically a spouse or close relative), esp. within a short period of time.
ΚΠ
1762 T. Smollett et al. tr. Voltaire Wks. XI. 135 Her husband died suddenly the night before..She wept; she tore her hair; and swore she would follow him to the grave.
1839 W. Henry Trifles from Port-folio I. v. 31 An untimely death carried off my cousin in the bloom of her youth, and my poor heart-broken uncle soon followed her to the grave.
1912 E. T. Lamborn Sketches of People & Places 199 The only consolation he had or hoped to have was that he would soon follow her to the grave. Yet he survived her twenty years.
2019 Advertiser (Austral.) (Nexis) 7 July 54 Johanna's younger sister, Mary Jane, followed her to the grave four months later.
P5. follow the (also my) leader: a game in which each player must copy the actions or words of the person who has been chosen as leader. Frequently figurative with reference to a situation in which a person or group automatically or unthinkingly copies the actions of another.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > parlour and party games > [noun] > forfeit games
follow the (also my) leader1776
Jack's alive1822
turn-trencher1838
snapping tongs1844
family coach1851
ken1890
1776 Middlesex Jrnl. & Evening Advertiser 16–18 July The Ministers of Music had played at ‘Follow the Leader’..from one room to another.
1814 Morning Chron. 1 Mar. What must those who have played at follow my leader..now think of the persons who set up as the fashioners..of their opinions.
1870 Nature 4 Aug. 286/2 This ‘follow my leader’ style will not do in this age.
1965 Observer 10 Oct. 7/2 The once popular ‘administered price’ theory, in which a giant like U.S. Steel moved first, and the rest automatically played follow my leader.
2001 Chicago Tribune 11 Nov. vii. 4/2 The last thing that was really innovative was the Wu-Tang Clan, and after that it was just follow the leader.
2017 @LiveWellAlabama 21 Nov. in twitter.com (accessed 29 Aug. 2018) Play games, such as duck-duck-goose, hide and seek, follow the leader, or Simon says.
P6. to follow one's heart: to act in accordance with one's deepest feelings or desires, esp. when this is in opposition to what is rational or conventional.
ΚΠ
1777 Delicate Crimes II. lxi. 80 Why can I not follow my heart? Why are we not always with those we love?
1839 N.Y. Mirror 6 July 10/1 ‘Follow your heart!’ cried Giovechino, passionately—‘your heart, that speaks for me!’
1920 J. S. Kennard Memmo xii. 113 I was deceived, else I would not have married you. I now claim the right of following my heart.
2002 N.Y. Times 28 Apr. 7/1 Failing the bar exam seemed a signal that, enough already, he should follow his heart.
P7. to follow one's star: to go towards the thing on which one's aims, hopes, etc., are focused (cf. star n.1 4b).
ΚΠ
1848 I. Golovine Russian Sketch-bk. II. 10 I no longer oppose your going; follow your star, and may it soon restore you to my arms.
1860 W. G. Simms Areytos 144 I fled them soon, And followed my star, till my home I found.
1930 Boys' Life Dec. 6/1 He [sc. Napoleon] followed his own star, and look what he became!
2000 J. De Bellis John Updike Encycl. 495 His granddaughter, Essie Wilmot, follows her star to become a great film actress.
P8.
follow-me-lads n. [compare French suivez-moi-jeune-homme (1866)] now historical curls of hair or ribbons hanging loosely over the shoulder or down the back; esp. long, curling ribbons tied to a person's neck, collar, etc., or the back of a hat.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > accessories worn in the hair > [noun] > ribbons
stringa1400
puff1601
hair-ribbon1790
follow-me-lads1862
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > styles of hair > [noun] > curled or frizzed style > a curl
crocket1303
crookc1308
crotchet1589
lock1601
bergera1685
beau-catcher1818
sausage curl1828
spit-curl1831
crimp1855
kiss-curl1856
follow-me-lads1862
Alexandra curl1863
bob-curl1867
pin-curl1873
Montague1881
quiff1890
kiss-me-quick1893
1862 Times 21 Jan. 10/1 Vagrant ringlets straying over the shoulder, better known by the name of ‘follow me, lads’.
1890 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 21 Sept. 11/1 A white collarette was tied at the back with long ‘follow-me-lads’ of cream white ribbon.
1998 R. McDonald Mr. Darwin's Shooter (1999) ii. 138 Down the back of her neck hung her ‘follow-me-lads’.
P9. to follow one's dream: to pursue one's hopes and aspirations.
ΚΠ
1913 G. Rhys Quest of Ideal 52 Follow your dream and you will be happy.
1955 Chicago Defender 28 May 9/5 In the early days when Robert..began to follow his dream, he found himself working and fighting almost single-handed.
2014 Good Housek. Apr. 32/2 After two years of um-ing and ah-ing, I took the plunge and left my job to follow my dream full time.
P10. to follow the drum: see drum n.1 Phrases 2.to follow one's nose: see nose n. Phrases 1d(a). to follow the plough: see plough n.1 Phrases b. to follow suit: see suit n. Phrases 2c.

Phrasal verbs

PV1. With adverbs in specialized senses. to follow along
1. intransitive. To go along beside or behind a person, animal, vehicle, etc.; to follow, esp. as a companion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow behind [verb (intransitive)]
followOE
to follow ona1325
suec1390
ensuec1500
to follow alonga1594
tag1676
hark after1899
a1594 R. Greenham Wks. (1612) iv. xxxi. 691 Let vs therefore wait on Christ..we must not with Peter follow along to see, what will become of him.
1822 Etonian 2 319 It was not in my power to disobey the summons; so I followed along quietly enough.
1928 Pop. Sci. Monthly Mar. 170/3 A scene..photographed from an automobile following along beside horse and rider.
2015 K. Kwan China Rich Girlfriend iii. xiii. 351 Charity followed along with a just-opened bottle of Krug Clos d'Ambonnay and four champagne flutes.
2. intransitive. To follow the example set by a person or group; to do the same thing as somebody else; to conform to another's actions. Frequently with with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > direct one's conduct by a rule [verb (intransitive)] > follow an example
to follow (also walk, tread, etc.) in a person's footstepsc1485
to follow along1689
1689 G. Hooper Fair & Methodical Discuss. First Great Controv. ii. iii. 109 They should be of one mind, following along with the Humble, not Wise in their own conceits.
1863 Westm. & Foreign Q. Rev. Oct. 480 As if it could be a matter of choice whether we would follow along with the tendencies of modern Europe.
1965 N.Y. Times 8 June 67/4 One of the two largest tobacco concerns would announce a price change first and then the smaller companies would follow along.
2009 Globe & Mail (Canada) (Nexis) 19 Dec. a25 He had insisted Canada would follow along with whatever the United States decided.
3. intransitive. To keep up with or understand the progress of something (such as a narrative, performance, or event), esp. by reading an accompanying text, script, etc.
ΚΠ
1853 Dwight's Jrnl. Music 30 Apr. 27/3 I saw Liszt..with the Partitur in his hand looking over and following along with the utmost attention.
1894 C. A. Ruggles in 13th Biennial Rep. State Board of Health Calif. 19 Each member was furnished with a translation of the paper to be read, which made it very easy to follow along during the reading of it.
1941 Eng. Jrnl. 30 409 There was a complete change in their attitude toward the play. All followed along with an active interest.
2010 Wall St. Jrnl. 19 Jan. a6/6 The findings and ideas from the forum would be live-streamed on the White House Web site so the public could follow along.
4. intransitive. To perform an activity while following instructions or watching a demonstration of that activity.
ΚΠ
1923 Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catal. 65/2 A clear, brisk voice on the record gives the ‘commands’ [for the exercises] and then, when the lively music strikes up, you've just got to follow along.
1981 Paris (Texas) News 27 Sept. 11 a/1 He [sc. a watercolor teacher] finds that a student learns easier when there is some way to follow along with the instructor.
2017 A. Anrus Project You 89 Taking a cooking class with a family member or friend is tons of fun... YouTube has cooking videos you can follow along with.
 to follow back
transitive. Of a person: to subscribe to the activities or postings of (a person, group, etc., who already subscribes to one's own account) on a social media website or application.Originally with reference to the social networking website Twitter.
ΚΠ
2006 @sailor 22 Nov. in twitter.com (accessed 29 Oct. 2019) The magnetism I have, Tantek followed me back from Technorati a few minutes ago.
2013 Courier Mail (Austral.) (Nexis) 9 Oct. Instafollow scans your Instagram account and lets you know which users you follow aren't doing you the same favour, as well as who you aren't following back.
 to follow on
1. intransitive. To move on in the same direction as a person who or thing which is moving in front; to continue to go after a person or thing in motion. Also: to go in chase or pursuit of a person or animal, esp. with intent to overtake and capture, harm, or kill.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow behind [verb (intransitive)]
followOE
to follow ona1325
suec1390
ensuec1500
to follow alonga1594
tag1676
hark after1899
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1751 He toc and wente and folwede on, And ðhogt in mod iacob to slon.
a1450 Castle Perseverance (1969) l. 933 Whanne Wrath gynnyth walke..Envye flet as a fox and folwyth on faste.
1606 W. Arthur & H. Charteris Rollock's Lect. 1st & 2nd Epist. Paul to Thessalonians (1 Thess.) xiiii. 165 Follow on him, if it were through Hell (if he bid thee goe throgh Hell, go throgh it, close thy eyes, follow on).
1614 A. Gorges tr. Lucan Pharsalia ii. 68 Yee troopes of horse set forth with hast: And bands of foot come follow on.
1884 W. Cook Billiards i. 9 A following stroke is when you cause your ball to follow on after the ball it strikes.
1991 Working Terrier Feb. 25/1 I started to climb over the brambles after him with the Jack Russell bitch following on behind me.
2010 Diss (Norfolk) Express (Nexis) 1 Jan. Harold always arrives at the church early..but Katherine had told him she would follow on later.
†2. transitive. To continue (an activity, process, etc.) with further action; to reinforce (an action); to follow (something) up. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > following up, through, or prosecution > follow up, through, or out [verb (transitive)]
suec1325
pursuea1393
follow1425
pass1473
prosecute?a1475
ensue1509
convey1530
persecute1546
to follow on?1557
transact1636
to follow up1659
to follow up on1927
?1557 tr. St. Elisabeth of Schönau Liber Viarum Dei sig. F.vii When he appeared agayne, I praied him that he wold prosecute or folowe on the exhortation of his sermon begun.
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 515 Sylla valliantly following on his victory, shuffled in among them as they fled, and in thende tooke all together.
1652 J. Wadsworth tr. P. de Sandoval Civil Wars Spain 363 If, after the taking of Torrelobaton, hee had followed on his victorie.
1691 ‘N. N.’ Blatant Beast Muzzled 142 The Dutch being by this means our Betters at Sea, would not follow on their blow.
†3. intransitive. To continue perseveringly (to do something). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > continue doing or keep going in a course of action [verb (intransitive)]
to hold a wayOE
to hold forthc1200
to hold ona1225
reignc1300
lasta1325
continuea1340
to continue doing or to doc1384
pursuea1425
perseverec1425
to hold one's wayc1480
prosecute1528
to go on1533
to run on1533
keep1548
to follow on1560
insist1586
to keep on1589
to carry on1832
to carry on1857
string1869
1560 A. L. tr. J. Calvin Serm. Songe Ezechias ii. 46 We shold fight against them [sc. temtations], and styll to followe on tyll we fele the relefe that he doth promyse vs.
1611 Bible (King James) Hosea vi. 3 Then shal we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. View more context for this quotation
a1732 T. Boston Illustr. Doctr. Christian Relig. (1773) III. 599 To gain experience of religion, they get some taste of it, but then they do not follow on.
1785 W. Hutton Bran New Wark 14 Nor hes tau followed on, as Hosea says, to love thy fellow creatures.
4. intransitive. To carry on; to proceed or progress, esp. from something else.
ΚΠ
1825 N.-Y. Med. & Physical Jrnl. 4 453 Writers have quietly followed on in the same track, more ready to warp stubborn facts into a convenient shape.
1961 C. Isherwood Diary 12 Nov. in Sixties (2010) II. 134 It is bad about the show, because he ought to follow on from the London one, right away.
2008 Independent 10 Sept. 17/2 A soggy August following on from a later spring confined bees to their hives..at a crucial time for honey production.
5. intransitive. Cricket. Of a team batting second in a four-innings match: to bat again immediately after completing its first innings, a penalty which may be enforced when the opposing team leads by more than a stipulated number of runs after both sides' first innings are completed. A follow-on gives the team batting first an opportunity to win the game without having to bat a second time.The Law was introduced in 1835; the modern term developed from the earlier expression to follow their innings at innings n. Phrases. The number of runs stipulated depends on the number of days the match is scheduled to last.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > bat [verb (intransitive)] > follow on
to follow their innings1815
to follow on1865
1865 F. Lillywhite Guide to Cricketers (ed. 21) 86 Surrey ‘followed on’, but left only 23 runs for Oxford to get to win.
1891 Leeds Mercury 2 May 6/4 Being left in a minority of 93 they had to follow on.
1923 John Wisden’s Cricketers’ Almanack (ed. 60) ii. 51 When Essex followed on Russell and afterwards Freeman played finely.
1930 A. H. Graham Cricket at Univ. Pennsylvania 63 Forced to follow on, Pennsylvania sent in Patterson and Noble and some magnificent cricket was seen.
1956 L. Hutton Just my Story iii. 57 I wanted to take the last two wickets as quickly as possible and force West Indies to follow-on.
1996 India Today 30 June 142/1 With the team forced to follow on,..Hazare notched up a chanceless 145, becoming the first Indian to score centuries in each innings in a Test.
2009 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 12 Sept. (Sport section) 14 The probability is that if Australia had followed on, they would have set England 200 at least to chase.
 to follow out
1. transitive. To carry out (an order, instruction, task, etc.).
ΚΠ
1662 A. Petrie Compend. Hist. Catholick Church ii. 411 The Assembly in one voice acknowdges [sic] it to be a true Christian and faithfull Confession, and the tenor thereof to be followed out, as is ordered in the proclamation.
1762 Petition J. Stewart Younger of Ballacheilish, & D. Stewart of Auchnacoan 13 Apine himself behoved to have followed out the Order of Redemption prescribed in the Charters granted by himself.
1883 T. Hardy Romantic Adventures of Milkmaid in Harper's Weekly 4 Aug. 490/2 Jim followed out his programme with literal exactness.
1934 Sat. Evening Post 15 Sept. 74/2 I had used up most of the excuses, and it wasn't quite possible to follow out the instructions to the letter.
2000 Sunday Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 18 June 1 His bosses knew he could be trusted to follow out orders without question.
2. transitive. To pursue (an idea, argument, etc.) to a conclusion or final outcome; to bring to completion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > following up, through, or prosecution > follow up, through, or out [verb (transitive)] > to the end
to go through1548
to set on1596
to set through1600
to carry through1609
to see outc1700
to follow out1762
to see through1828
1762 Ld. Kames Elements Crit. I. i. 36 Avarice having got possession of his mind, he follows out that theme to the end.
1884 R. W. Church Bacon 22 While he was following out the great ideas which were to be the basis of his philosophy.
2005 Philos. & Rhetoric 38 371 He goes on to follow out the logic of the being than which nothing greater can be conceived.
 to follow through
1. intransitive. Sport. In golf, cricket, and other sports: to continue the movement of a stroke, throw, or kick after the ball, etc., has been struck or released. Also occasionally transitive: to continue (a stroke, throw, or kick) after the ball, etc., has been struck or released. Cf. follow-through n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > golf > play golf [verb (intransitive)] > movements
to follow through1857
borrow1897
knuckle1909
1857 H. B. Farnie Golfer's Man. vi. 48 The player must allow his stroke to be stopped immediately on striking the intercepting grass..; should he attempt to make his club follow through it, as on open ground, the probable consequence would be that the shaft would be shivered.
1891 Golf 1 Feb. 340/2 After the impact the club-head should not be stopped abruptly, but should ‘follow through’.
1926 Acton Gaz. 16 Apr. 4/4 Backhand Drive.—Watch the ball all the way, and strike very deliberately, taking care to follow-through with the racket afterwards.
1938 Illustr. Sporting & Dramatic News 5 Aug. 294/3 The batsman follows through, and..the twist of the right forearm is eloquent of the push delivered.
1940 Open Road for Boys Sept. 20/3 As you follow through, concentrate on straightening your kicking foot and keeping your balance foot on the ground.
1967 Tennis (‘Know the Game’ Ser.) 1 The racket is following through.
1993 J. Khan & K. Pratt Learn Squash & Racquetball in Weekend (N.Y. ed.) (front cover) Use your left arm to help keep you steady as you follow through the stroke.
2010 D. Fischer Cool Sports Dad iv. 85 After striking the ball, it is important to follow through completely.
2. intransitive and transitive. To continue (an action or task) to the end; to bring (something) to its conclusion.
ΚΠ
1914 Trade Outlook (U.S.) Aug. 114/2 The surgeon who..saves the life of his patient in spite of the dangers of septicemia, nervous shock and loss of blood, ‘follows through’. The lawyer who not only gets his case to the jury by successfully arguing a difficult point of law with the court, but also gets a verdict from the jury, ‘follows through’.
1934 L. H. Watson Play at Contract Bridge xvi. 149 If you are going to play a hand by cross-ruffing, you must follow it through.
1973 A. Garner Red Shift 32 I keep telling you this is a different war, and we follow it through.
2013 T. Burns Our Necessary Shadow iv. 95 The therapist challenges the patient to follow through logically the implications of his or her (the patient's) thinking.
3. intransitive. colloquial. To defecate accidentally, usually immediately after breaking wind.In quot. ?1927-8 probably with pun on sense 1.
ΚΠ
?1927–8 J. Fliesler Anecdota Americana 143 ‘At the foorth hole I left a poop.’ ‘That can happen to all of us,’ his friend again said. ‘I ken, I ken, but I followed through,’ said Sandy.
1993 I. Welsh Trainspotting (1999) 24 Ah fart, and instantly follow through, feeling the wet sludge in ma pants.
2010 Viz May 41/1 BOOAFT, Barked one out and followed through.
 to follow up
1. transitive. To pursue closely or steadily (a person or thing). Also intransitive. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow [verb (transitive)] > pursue > pursue closely
suea1350
dog1519
to follow up1598
to stick to ——1685
1598 R. Hakluyt tr. E. van Meteren in Princ. Navigations (new ed.) I. 600 The English Fleete following vp hard vpon them, ancred iust by them within culuering-shot.
1637 R. Monro Exped. Scots Regim. ii. 177 The Enemy finding at mid-night that we were gone, followed up our Rere-guard.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess iv. 88 It becomes no man to nurse despair, But..To follow up the worthiest till he die.
1888 Times 16 Oct. 10/5 The Forest bylaws..make no provision for wounded deer being followed up.
1931 C. Turner tr. E. von Schmidt-Pauli We Indians xvii. 155 The hunter..had to be mobile enough to be able to follow up his prey.
2003 H. Strachan First World War I. (Paperback ed.) iv. 346 Krauss had once again urged Potiorek to follow up the retreating 1st Serb army with a direct attack on Belgrade.
2. transitive. With with, by. To provide (a thing) with a sequel or a successor; to supplement (something). Also intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > succession or following in time > succeed or follow [verb (transitive)] > provide with a sequel or successor
follow1580
to follow up1657
1657 J. Watts Scribe, Pharisee 61 I may, for more perspicuity sake, follow up this General Testimony by one Father unto its Particulars.
1795 T. Paine Age of Reason ii. 66 Matthew..follows up this part of the story of the guard..with a second part.
1843 Satirist & Sporting Chron. 4 Feb. 2/1 The worthy member for Brisbane Ward was observed taking what is termed a ‘tightener’, at an oyster stall..and following it up with a ‘nobbler’ at the London Tavern.
1905 W. Bodie Bodie Bk. 173 I must explain these two statements, and then follow them up by a third.
1979 Maclean's (Toronto) 9 Apr. 46/2 They objected to Richardson's letter on their behalf. Richardson followed up with a second letter saying he was just speaking for himself.
2006 Time Off (Brisbane) 15 Mar. 44/1 Kusama is finally following her hit up with her first foray into the murky world of science fiction.
3. transitive. To continue (something already in progress), esp. to supplement or reinforce (something already done or said) with, by further action, comment, etc. Also intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > following up, through, or prosecution > follow up, through, or out [verb (transitive)]
suec1325
pursuea1393
follow1425
pass1473
prosecute?a1475
ensue1509
convey1530
persecute1546
to follow on?1557
transact1636
to follow up1659
to follow up on1927
1659 G. Hutcheson Rev. & Exam. Pamphlet 91 After a grieved person hath followed-up his Appeal even to a National Assembly, there is yet a further possible help.
1795 W. Paley View Evidences Christianity (ed. 3) II. ii. ix. 228 It comes next to be considered, how far these accounts are confirmed, or followed up by other evidence.
1854 C. Dickens Hard Times i. ii. 7 He would go in and damage any subject whatever with his right, follow up with his left [etc.].
1867 S. Smiles Huguenots Eng. & Ireland vii. 166 Louis was not slow to follow up this intimation by measures of a more positive kind.
1988 Daily Dispatch 29 July 23 The Apla unit attacked the South African forces with hand grenades and followed up with automatic gunfire when fire was returned.
2001 Independent 18 Aug. i. 9/5 Gap's British operations had suffered from failing to follow up its success.
2013 N. Canavor Business Writing for Dummies iii. x. 227 Your goal is to identify meeting points..and if the outlook is promising, to find an opportunity to follow up later and build a relationship.
4. to follow up on.
a. intransitive. To continue (something already in progress); to supplement or reinforce (something already done or said) with further action, comment, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > following up, through, or prosecution > follow up, through, or out [verb (transitive)]
suec1325
pursuea1393
follow1425
pass1473
prosecute?a1475
ensue1509
convey1530
persecute1546
to follow on?1557
transact1636
to follow up1659
to follow up on1927
1927 Amer. Jrnl. Nursing 27 20/1 The third and fourth years will follow up on Project 1 but concentrate on Project 2.
1951 Bull. Amateur Entomologists' Soc. 10 54/2 Dear Mr Editor,—To follow up on my letter, published in April, may I venture to suggest how the above group should operate.
1988 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 14 Mar. 57 He had another effortless win yesterday to follow up on last week's all-the-way win at Calder.
2016 States News Service (Nexis) 16 Nov. Colonel, just to follow up on Ryan's question. Can you rule out that U.S. forces are inside Mosul?
b. intransitive. To investigate and take action with regard to (a piece of information, a recommendation, etc.).
ΚΠ
1927 Oak Parker (Oak Park, Illinois) 22 Apr. 4/1 When police followed up on the tip they caught George Richter.
1975 Educ. Horizons 54 86/2 When a student complains..that a supervisor has not given him enough attention the Education Director follows up on the matter and checks out the complaint.
2018 Vancouver Island Free Daily (Nexis) 20 Mar. Officers are following up on reports of a vehicle leaving the area shortly after the shots were heard.
PV2. With prepositions in specialized senses. to follow after ——
intransitive. To strive to reach or obtain; to endeavour to achieve. Cf. sense 10. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)] > strive for or after
tilla900
strivea1300
aswinkc1300
ofswinkc1300
forstrivec1315
beswink1377
to follow after ——c1390
hacka1450
ontilla1450
prosecutea1530
to scratch for1581
ettle1592
push1595
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. x. l. 189 Þauȝ þei don hem to done [read donmowe]..To folewen aftur þe Flucchen, fecche þei hit neuere.
1570 T. Wilson tr. Demosthenes 3 Orations 45 Valiant Capitaynes must neuer follow after occasions lost, but rather must preuent them, and be aforehande with them in tyme.
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms cxix. 150 They draw nigh that follow after mischiefe. View more context for this quotation
1700 J. G. G. Trumpet in Sion 74 A full resolution to forsake Sin, and follow after Holiness and Righteousness.
1881 Bible (R.V.) Heb. xii. 14 Follow after peace with all men.
2010 ‘W. Reign’ Winter's Rain p. xvi Follow after goodness no matter what.

Compounds

follow spot n. a spotlight that follows a performer on the stage; also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > stage lights
footlight1776
limelight1826
float1829
spotlight1875
ground-row1881
lime1892
baby spot1910
amber1913
spot1920
strip light1920
perch1933
follow spot1937
Mickey Mouse1937
pin spot1947
1937 Lighting (Century Lighting Inc.) 75 A sharp edged beam that we have come to associate so definitely with the follow-spot used in the average musical show.
1960 J. Lawrence & R. E. Lee Gang's All Here 7 The follow spot is preparing to seek the man who will go to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
2014 Surrey Mirror (Nexis) 25 Sept. 43 He cannot have follow spots at some venues.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2020; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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