† toforeprep.adv.conj.

Forms: α. Old English–Middle English tóforan, (Old English tóforon), Middle English toforen, Middle English to foren, Middle English–1500s toforn(e, Middle English–1600s to forn(e. β. Middle English to vore, Middle English tovore, Middle English–1500s to for, (Middle English te for), Middle English–1600s to fore, Middle English–1500s tofor, Middle English–1600s tofore, (Middle English toffore), 1500s Scottish to-foir. γ. ScottishMiddle English to forowe, toforowe, 1500s to forrow.

Etymology: Old English tóforan , < to prep. + foran adverb, derivative of Old Germanic *fora fore, for: see before adv., prep., conj., and n., also afore adv., prep., and conj., atfore prep., heretofore adv., adj., and n. Cognate with Old Frisian tô-fora, Old Saxon te foran, Middle High German zevor, zuovor, -vorn, German zuvor.

Obsolete.

A. prep.

a. Of motion: To before, to the front of; of position: In front of; = before prep. 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > front > in front of [preposition]

toforea900

aforeeOE

atforec1000

forneOE

beforeOE

forne toc1175

afornonc1275

forne an, atc1275

forouthc1375

aforewardc1380

before the face ofa1382

forwitha1400

forne inc1540

afront1558

ahead1578

in (the) front of1609

in advance1656

forward of1838

front of1843

the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > in advance of [preposition] > to the front of

toforea900

a900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (1890) iii. xii. [xiv.] 196 Se cyning..stop ofostlice toforan [ðam] biscope, & feoll to his fotum.

c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) x. 8 Etað þæt eow toforan aset ys.

c1275 Laȝamon Brut 31548 Þo stot him vp Penda: To-vore þan heȝe kinge.

c1300 Beket 2001 That bred..that tofore him lay.

a1325 Prose Psalter liii. [liv.] 3 [Thei] ne sett nouȝt God to-forn her syȝt.

1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xiv. 346 He cast hym deed to fore his fete.

a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) iv. sig. Eii Tofore thaltars, in presence of the Gods.

b. Into or in the presence of; in the sight or cognizance of; = before prep. 3.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > presence > in the presence of [preposition]

beforeeOE

toforec1000

aforyenlOE

atforec1175

againsta1225

atc1275

aforec1330

anenta1382

c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xxv. 32 Ealle þeoda beoþ toforan hym gegaderude.

10.. Leg. Rood (1871) 11/4 Þæt hio rædlice coman toforan þare mære cwenan þa hio beforan hire stodan.

c1070 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1070 (Parker MS.) Se arcebiscop..þæt ylce gefæstnode toforan þam papan Alexandre.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 7022 Þan kinge he eode to-foren [c1300 Otho bi-vore].

1340 Ayenb 218 Þe ilke comþ to-uore god mid ydele honden.

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 347 He knowleched his trespas openliche tofore þe bisshop and al þe peple.

1493 Festivall (1515) 14 b Anone tofore them he made a blynde man to se.

1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne i. xxxv. 8 All tofore their chieftaine mustred beene.

c. tofore God: in the sight of God; at the tribunal of God; hence as an asseveration (also God tofore), by God: cf. before adv. 4, 5.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > [adverb] > in the sight of God

tofore Godc1374

c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iii. 800 (849) So shal I do to morw I-wis..And god to-forn.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. v. 457 And made avowe to-fore god for his foule sleuthe.

a1450 J. Myrc Instr. to Par. Priests 213 That ys feyre to-fore god.

1598 Chaucers Dreame in T. Speght Wks. G. Chaucer f. 361/2 Madame..God tofore, ye shall be there.

2. Of position in motion: In advance of, ahead of: = before prep. 2. (In quot. 1297 with a pursuer as object; cf. before prep. 2b(b).)

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > in advance of [preposition]

atforec1000

forneOE

toforec1000

forouthc1375

forwitha1400

forrow1474

c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) i. 17 He gæð toforan him on gaste and Elias mihte.

c1250 Old Kentish Serm. in Old Eng. Misc. 26 Swo kam si sterre þet yede to-for hem in-to ierusalem.

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2202 Ȝe ne conne bote fle Ase ssep to vore wolues.

a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1906) 63 .ij. yonge women..wolde haue hasted hem tofore her felawes.

1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne i. xxxvii. 8 Their wonted ensigne, they tofore them bring.

3. Of time: Previously to, earlier than; = before prep. 7a, 9.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > antecedence [preposition] > before

aforeeOE

toOE

toforea1000

atforea1250

forouthc1375

fornea1400

forrow1474

tilla1616

in advance1680

A1807

pre1960

a1000 in Cockayne Narrat. (1861) 16 Hit wæs to foran dæges.

c1025 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1013 On þam ilcan geare to foran þam monðe Augustus.

c1275 Woman of Samaria 5 in Old Eng. Misc. 84 A lutel te-for þe tyme.

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 165 Carthago was i-buld þre score ȝere and twelue to fore þe citee of Rome.

1440 in Wars Eng. in France (1864) II. 455 Not longe tyme tofore his deth.

1587 R. Holinshed et al. Hist. Scotl. (new ed.) 324/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II Rather..than we did tofore [1577 heretofore] his fathers inuasion.

a. Of rank, order, or preference: In precedence of or preference to; beyond, more than; rather than; = before prep. 11.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choice [preposition] > before in preference

toforec888

beforeOE

c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Prayer at end) Þæt ic mæge þe inweardlice lufian toforon eallum þingum.

c1000 Ælfric Deut. vii. 14 Ge beoþ gebletsod toforan eallum oþrum mannum.

c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 208 Assa is stunt nyten..and toforan oðrum nytenum ungesceadwis.

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 117 He is on heuene on his kine setle to-foran oðer mennen.

a1272 A Luue Ron 155 in Old Eng. Misc. 98 Nys non betere vnder heouene grunde. He is to-fore alle oþre i-coren.

a1325 Prose Psalter xliv. [xlv.] 3 Fair artou..in fourme to-fore mennes sones.

14.. Chaucer's Pars. T. (Harl.) ⁋677 Thus is he an auerous man þat loueth his tresor toforn god.

b. Of serial order: Before, preceding.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > preceding or following in order > precede or follow in order [preposition] > preceding in order

beforeOE

toforea1387

forwitha1400

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 61 Þe peple putte hir owne names to fore þe names of hir felawes.

5. Besides, over and above. rare. (Cf. B. 5.)

ΚΠ

c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 584 Salomon eac forgeaf þære cwene swa hwæs swa heo gyrnde æt him, toforan ðære cynelican lace ðe he hire geaf.

B. adv. (not in Old English).

1. Of time: Previously, beforehand, earlier; heretofore, in the past; = before adv. 5.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb]

erea900

beforeeOE

forec1000

toforec1175

therebeforec1200

toforehand1258

forne toc1275

orc1275

andersitha1300

alreadyc1300

rather?1316

beforehandc1330

erstc1330

aforec1350

theretoforea1375

aforehanda1387

forthwitha1400

forwitha1400

or?a1400

ereward14..

toforetimec1400

aforetimes1429

aforetime1433

afore seasons1463

heretoforetime1481

forouth1487

aforrow?a1513

beforrow1568

paravant1590

antecedently1593

formerly1596

precedently1611

preveniently1633

preallably1652

previously1655

precedaneously1657

somewhiles1657

antecedaneously1661

aft1674

prior1675

anteriorly1681

antecedent1690

previous1712

priorly1742

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 121 Al swa þet writ seide bi him muchel to-foran.

1258 Proclam. Hen. III Þurȝ þe besiȝte of þan to foren iseide redesmen.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 7 He deþ aye þe heste of god to uore yzed.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 142 Ac his witt welt he after as wel as to-fore.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3010 Ysaac hir son..þat was longe bihet to forn [Vesp., Gött. biforn; Fairf. be-forne].

c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 110 Þat I have told to forn.

1423 Kingis Quair ii New partit out of slepe a lyte tofore.

1423 Kingis Quair xxiii The way we tuke, the tyme I tald to-forowe [rhymes morowe, borowe].

1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 94 I am more hongry now than I was to fore.

1546 Supplic. Poor Commons sig. a.ii Not many yeres tofore.

a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry V c, in Poems (1878) IV. 126 Mortimer, Earle of March, in the right Line Discendent, and to fore declared Heire.

2. Of position: In front; = before adv. 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > front > [adverb]

aforeOE

forneOE

beforeOE

aforewarda1200

afornonc1275

toforec1330

onwardc1385

bifornysc1420

forouth1487

ahead1568

afrontc1570

forwardly1578

anteriorly1598

foremostly1607

devant1609

forward1619

forward on1630

front-wise1774

vanward1827

out front1934

upfront1937

c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 1871 Sadok toforn haþ him smete Of his scheld a quarter wiþ gret hete.

c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 105 Þe senewis tofore ben drawe togidere.

c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn Prol. l. 155 It is a spere, yf þowe canst se, with a prik tofore.

3. Of motion: In advance, ahead; = before adv. 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > [adverb]

awayeOE

forneOE

forthc1000

forthwardc1175

furtherlyc1175

toforec1330

forea1400

forwarda1400

furtherwarda1400

avauntc1400

forwardsc1400

onwardc1425

toward1426

forouth1487

up to ——1516

forth on1529

onwards1540

aheada1615

forrita1796

advancingly1820

onwardly1831

forwardly1876

the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > [adverb]

beforeeOE

aforeOE

toforec1330

forthwitha1400

forwitha1400

forouth1487

ahead1578

foremostly1607

on1792

forward1838

c1330 Arth. & Merl. 1365 Now wendeþ to forn, on of ȝou, & tel anon þe king.

1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 24570 Send hem toforne, on thy massage.

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur ii. ix. 85 xx of hem rode to fore to warne the lady.

1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid i. Prol. 419 Saying he followit Virgillis lantern to forne, Quhen Eneas to Dido was forsworne.

4. Of rank: In precedence; cf. before adv. 4.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being better or superior > [adverb]

betOE

beforeOE

bettera1200

toforec1440

higherc1500

superiorlya1643

superior1762

c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Add. MS.) xci. 416 Þe proude man wil all wey be sette aboue and be-fore oþer, he wil all way be putte tofore in Euery place.

1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) cxci. 280 Without doubte the spyrituel thynges be more digne and worthy than the temporall. Therfore..the moost hye thynges ought to goo to fore.

5. Beforehand; in hand for the future; left over. Cf. modern Scottish to the fore.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb] > in advance or beforehand

yeteOE

forea1225

beforehand?c1225

alreadyc1300

forrow1489

aforehanda1500

sincea1556

tofore1597

forwarda1604

preventively1646

anticipatelya1677

ahead1835

anticipatively1864

anticipatorily1878

1597 Trials for Witchcraft in Spalding Misc. (1841) I. 95 Hir and hir guidman..suld newir haue frie geir tofoir.

C. conj. Of time: = before conj. 1.

a. with that: cf. before conj. 1a.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > antecedence [conjunction] > before

toforea1325

afore1340

againa1350

againsta1350

tillc1420

tofore orc1440

tofore1464

a1325 Prose Psalter lxxxix. [xc.] 2 To-fore þat þe mounteins were made.

a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Matt. x. 23 To fore that mannus sone come.

1483 W. Caxton tr. A. Chartier Curial sig. iv^v Tofore that thou hast ony offyces.

b. simply: cf. before conj. 1c.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > antecedence [conjunction] > before

toforea1325

afore1340

againa1350

againsta1350

tillc1420

tofore orc1440

tofore1464

1464 Rolls of Parl. V. 563/2 Tofore it passe out of any of the seid Townes.

1477 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 502 Iff I had hadde it to-fore he wente.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ix So can he not condemne him for an Heretike tofore he be detected of errour.

c. tofore or phr. (= ere): cf. before conj. 1b.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > antecedence [conjunction] > before

toforea1325

afore1340

againa1350

againsta1350

tillc1420

tofore orc1440

tofore1464

c1440 J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (Lamb. MS.) 5 On shreffe thursday toforne or he was dede!

1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. i. 77 To fore er adam synned.

1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 25 Allewaye tofore or he wente to hys bedde.

Compounds

toforegoing adj. foregoing, preceding, antecedent.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective]

ererc888

fernOE

oldOE

formerc1160

ratherc1330

before-goingc1384

formerc1384

forenexta1400

formea1400

while1399

antecedentc1400

precedentc1400

anteceding?a1425

late1446

whilom1452

preceding?a1475

forne1485

fore1490

heretofore1491

foregoing1530

toforegoing1532

further1557

firster1571

then1584

elder1594

quondam1598

forehand1600

previant1601

preallable1603

prior1607

anterior1608

previal1613

once1620

previous1621

predecessivea1627

antecedaneous?1631

preventive1641

prior1641

precedaneous1645

preventional1649

antegredient1652

senior1655

prevenient1656

precedential1661

antecedental1763

past-gone1784

antevenient1800

aforetime1835

one-time1850

onewhile1882

foretime1894

erstwhile1903

antecedane-

ere-

1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. cccliii^v That one is to forgoing necessite, whiche maketh thyng to be.

1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. ccclv Onely through grace toforne goyng.

toforehand adv. beforehand, previously.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb]

erea900

beforeeOE

forec1000

toforec1175

therebeforec1200

toforehand1258

forne toc1275

orc1275

andersitha1300

alreadyc1300

rather?1316

beforehandc1330

erstc1330

aforec1350

theretoforea1375

aforehanda1387

forthwitha1400

forwitha1400

or?a1400

ereward14..

toforetimec1400

aforetimes1429

aforetime1433

afore seasons1463

heretoforetime1481

forouth1487

aforrow?a1513

beforrow1568

paravant1590

antecedently1593

formerly1596

precedently1611

preveniently1633

preallably1652

previously1655

precedaneously1657

somewhiles1657

antecedaneously1661

aft1674

prior1675

anteriorly1681

antecedent1690

previous1712

priorly1742

1258To foren iseide [see sense B. 1].

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 147 I-wrete of hym an hondred ȝere and twenty ȝere to forehonde.

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 175 Seint Aldelyn was to forehonde abbot of Malteby, þat is Malmesbury.

c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 3681 As ye haue herd tofore hond.

1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer i. f. cccxxxii Of errours comyng herafter, men may lightly to forne hande puruaye remedye.

1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. ccclx If thou haue knowyng of these to fornsayd thinges.

toforesaid adj. previously mentioned, aforesaid.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > [adjective] > commenting or mentioning > aforementioned

foresaidc1000

beforesaida1250

before-nameda1325

said1327

same1338

abovesaid1389

aforesaid1389

said1397

foretolda1400

above-written1413

y-aforsayde1422

rememberedc1425

toforesaid1444

aforenamedc1460

fore-mindeda1475

forenamed1490

forn-said1509

prenominatea1513

above?1515

above-named1525

premised?c1525

before-mentioned1534

aforementioned1539

predicted1546

prenominated1547

above-mentioned1550

before-told1556

above-cited1575

forementioned1587

supranominated1599

before-delivered1606

former1607

prementioned1620

precited1638

before-noticed1703

oversaid1840

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective] > aforesaid

aforesaid1389

aforegoingc1443

toforesaid1444

aforenamedc1460

above?1515

aforementioned1539

fore-cited1576

forespoken1625

forestated1701

1444 Rolls of Parl. V. 121/2 Founden by an enquerre bi the Baillifs toforeseid.

toforetime adv. previously, aforetime.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb]

erea900

beforeeOE

forec1000

toforec1175

therebeforec1200

toforehand1258

forne toc1275

orc1275

andersitha1300

alreadyc1300

rather?1316

beforehandc1330

erstc1330

aforec1350

theretoforea1375

aforehanda1387

forthwitha1400

forwitha1400

or?a1400

ereward14..

toforetimec1400

aforetimes1429

aforetime1433

afore seasons1463

heretoforetime1481

forouth1487

aforrow?a1513

beforrow1568

paravant1590

antecedently1593

formerly1596

precedently1611

preveniently1633

preallably1652

previously1655

precedaneously1657

somewhiles1657

antecedaneously1661

aft1674

prior1675

anteriorly1681

antecedent1690

previous1712

priorly1742

c1400 Three Kings Cologne 82 (Cambr.) Þe sterre þat tofore-tyme ȝede a-fore hem.

1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 61 Him semed that he had seen them tofore tyme.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	tofore
释义	† toforeprep.adv.conj. Forms: α. Old English–Middle English tóforan, (Old English tóforon), Middle English toforen, Middle English to foren, Middle English–1500s toforn(e, Middle English–1600s to forn(e. β. Middle English to vore, Middle English tovore, Middle English–1500s to for, (Middle English te for), Middle English–1600s to fore, Middle English–1500s tofor, Middle English–1600s tofore, (Middle English toffore), 1500s Scottish to-foir. γ. ScottishMiddle English to forowe, toforowe, 1500s to forrow. Etymology: Old English tóforan , < to prep. + foran adverb, derivative of Old Germanic fora fore, for: see before adv., prep., conj., and n., also afore adv., prep., and conj., atfore prep., heretofore adv., adj., and n. Cognate with Old Frisian tô-fora, Old Saxon te foran, Middle High German zevor, zuovor, -vorn, German zuvor. Obsolete. A. prep. 1. a. Of motion: To before, to the front of; of position: In front of; = before prep. 1. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > front > in front of [preposition] toforea900 aforeeOE atforec1000 forneOE beforeOE forne toc1175 afornonc1275 forne an, atc1275 forouthc1375 aforewardc1380 before the face ofa1382 forwitha1400 forne inc1540 afront1558 ahead1578 in (the) front of1609 in advance1656 forward of1838 front of1843 the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > in advance of [preposition] > to the front of toforea900 a900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist.* (1890) iii. xii. [xiv.] 196 Se cyning..stop ofostlice toforan [ðam] biscope, & feoll to his fotum. c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) x. 8 Etað þæt eow toforan aset ys. c1275 Laȝamon Brut 31548 Þo stot him vp Penda: To-vore þan heȝe kinge. c1300 Beket 2001 That bred..that tofore him lay. a1325 Prose Psalter liii. [liv.] 3 [Thei] ne sett nouȝt God to-forn her syȝt. 1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xiv. 346 He cast hym deed to fore his fete. a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) iv. sig. Eii Tofore thaltars, in presence of the Gods. b. Into or in the presence of; in the sight or cognizance of; = before prep. 3. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > presence > in the presence of [preposition] beforeeOE toforec1000 aforyenlOE atforec1175 againsta1225 atc1275 aforec1330 anenta1382 c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xxv. 32 Ealle þeoda beoþ toforan hym gegaderude. 10.. Leg. Rood (1871) 11/4 Þæt hio rædlice coman toforan þare mære cwenan þa hio beforan hire stodan. c1070 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1070 (Parker MS.) Se arcebiscop..þæt ylce gefæstnode toforan þam papan Alexandre. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 7022 Þan kinge he eode to-foren [c1300 Otho bi-vore]. 1340 Ayenb 218 Þe ilke comþ to-uore god mid ydele honden. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 347 He knowleched his trespas openliche tofore þe bisshop and al þe peple. 1493 Festivall (1515) 14 b Anone tofore them he made a blynde man to se. 1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne i. xxxv. 8 All tofore their chieftaine mustred beene. c. tofore God: in the sight of God; at the tribunal of God; hence as an asseveration (also God tofore), by God: cf. before adv. 4, 5. ΘΚΠ the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > [adverb] > in the sight of God tofore Godc1374 c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iii. 800 (849) So shal I do to morw I-wis..And god to-forn. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. v. 457 And made avowe to-fore god for his foule sleuthe. a1450 J. Myrc Instr. to Par. Priests 213 That ys feyre to-fore god. 1598 Chaucers Dreame in T. Speght Wks. G. Chaucer f. 361/2 Madame..God tofore, ye shall be there. 2. Of position in motion: In advance of, ahead of: = before prep. 2. (In quot. 1297 with a pursuer as object; cf. before prep. 2b(b).) ΘΚΠ the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > in advance of [preposition] atforec1000 forneOE toforec1000 forouthc1375 forwitha1400 forrow1474 c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) i. 17 He gæð toforan him on gaste and Elias mihte. c1250 Old Kentish Serm. in Old Eng. Misc. 26 Swo kam si sterre þet yede to-for hem in-to ierusalem. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2202 Ȝe ne conne bote fle Ase ssep to vore wolues. a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1906) 63 .ij. yonge women..wolde haue hasted hem tofore her felawes. 1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne i. xxxvii. 8 Their wonted ensigne, they tofore them bring. 3. Of time: Previously to, earlier than; = before prep. 7a, 9. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > antecedence [preposition] > before aforeeOE toOE toforea1000 atforea1250 forouthc1375 fornea1400 forrow1474 tilla1616 in advance1680 A1807 pre1960 a1000 in Cockayne Narrat. (1861) 16 Hit wæs to foran dæges. c1025 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1013 On þam ilcan geare to foran þam monðe Augustus. c1275 Woman of Samaria 5 in Old Eng. Misc. 84 A lutel te-for þe tyme. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 165 Carthago was i-buld þre score ȝere and twelue to fore þe citee of Rome. 1440 in Wars Eng. in France (1864) II. 455 Not longe tyme tofore his deth. 1587 R. Holinshed et al. Hist. Scotl. (new ed.) 324/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II Rather..than we did tofore [1577 heretofore] his fathers inuasion. 4. a. Of rank, order, or preference: In precedence of or preference to; beyond, more than; rather than; = before prep. 11. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > choice [preposition] > before in preference toforec888 beforeOE c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Prayer at end) Þæt ic mæge þe inweardlice lufian toforon eallum þingum. c1000 Ælfric Deut. vii. 14 Ge beoþ gebletsod toforan eallum oþrum mannum. c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 208 Assa is stunt nyten..and toforan oðrum nytenum ungesceadwis. c1175 Lamb. Hom. 117 He is on heuene on his kine setle to-foran oðer mennen. a1272 A Luue Ron 155 in Old Eng. Misc. 98 Nys non betere vnder heouene grunde. He is to-fore alle oþre i-coren. a1325 Prose Psalter xliv. [xlv.] 3 Fair artou..in fourme to-fore mennes sones. 14.. Chaucer's Pars. T. (Harl.) ⁋677 Thus is he an auerous man þat loueth his tresor toforn god. b. Of serial order: Before, preceding. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > preceding or following in order > precede or follow in order [preposition] > preceding in order beforeOE toforea1387 forwitha1400 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 61 Þe peple putte hir owne names to fore þe names of hir felawes. 5. Besides, over and above. rare. (Cf. B. 5.) ΚΠ c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 584 Salomon eac forgeaf þære cwene swa hwæs swa heo gyrnde æt him, toforan ðære cynelican lace ðe he hire geaf. B. adv. (not in Old English). 1. Of time: Previously, beforehand, earlier; heretofore, in the past; = before adv. 5. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb] erea900 beforeeOE forec1000 toforec1175 therebeforec1200 toforehand1258 forne toc1275 orc1275 andersitha1300 alreadyc1300 rather?1316 beforehandc1330 erstc1330 aforec1350 theretoforea1375 aforehanda1387 forthwitha1400 forwitha1400 or?a1400 ereward14.. toforetimec1400 aforetimes1429 aforetime1433 afore seasons1463 heretoforetime1481 forouth1487 aforrow?a1513 beforrow1568 paravant1590 antecedently1593 formerly1596 precedently1611 preveniently1633 preallably1652 previously1655 precedaneously1657 somewhiles1657 antecedaneously1661 aft1674 prior1675 anteriorly1681 antecedent1690 previous1712 priorly1742 c1175 Lamb. Hom. 121 Al swa þet writ seide bi him muchel to-foran. 1258 Proclam. Hen. III Þurȝ þe besiȝte of þan to foren iseide redesmen. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 7 He deþ aye þe heste of god to uore yzed. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 142 Ac his witt welt he after as wel as to-fore. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3010 Ysaac hir son..þat was longe bihet to forn [Vesp., Gött. biforn; Fairf. be-forne]. c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 110 Þat I have told to forn. 1423 Kingis Quair ii New partit out of slepe a lyte tofore. 1423 Kingis Quair xxiii The way we tuke, the tyme I tald to-forowe [rhymes morowe, borowe]. 1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 94 I am more hongry now than I was to fore. 1546 Supplic. Poor Commons sig. a.ii Not many yeres tofore. a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry V c, in Poems (1878) IV. 126 Mortimer, Earle of March, in the right Line Discendent, and to fore declared Heire. 2. Of position: In front; = before adv. 1. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > front > [adverb] aforeOE forneOE beforeOE aforewarda1200 afornonc1275 toforec1330 onwardc1385 bifornysc1420 forouth1487 ahead1568 afrontc1570 forwardly1578 anteriorly1598 foremostly1607 devant1609 forward1619 forward on1630 front-wise1774 vanward1827 out front1934 upfront1937 c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 1871 Sadok toforn haþ him smete Of his scheld a quarter wiþ gret hete. c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 105 Þe senewis tofore ben drawe togidere. c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn Prol. l. 155 It is a spere, yf þowe canst se, with a prik tofore. 3. Of motion: In advance, ahead; = before adv. 2. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > [adverb] awayeOE forneOE forthc1000 forthwardc1175 furtherlyc1175 toforec1330 forea1400 forwarda1400 furtherwarda1400 avauntc1400 forwardsc1400 onwardc1425 toward1426 forouth1487 up to ——1516 forth on1529 onwards1540 aheada1615 forrita1796 advancingly1820 onwardly1831 forwardly1876 the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > going first or in front > [adverb] beforeeOE aforeOE toforec1330 forthwitha1400 forwitha1400 forouth1487 ahead1578 foremostly1607 on1792 forward1838 c1330 Arth. & Merl. 1365 Now wendeþ to forn, on of ȝou, & tel anon þe king. 1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 24570 Send hem toforne, on thy massage. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur ii. ix. 85 xx of hem rode to fore to warne the lady. 1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid i. Prol. 419 Saying he followit Virgillis lantern to forne, Quhen Eneas to Dido was forsworne. 4. Of rank: In precedence; cf. before adv. 4. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being better or superior > [adverb] betOE beforeOE bettera1200 toforec1440 higherc1500 superiorlya1643 superior1762 c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Add. MS.) xci. 416 Þe proude man wil all wey be sette aboue and be-fore oþer, he wil all way be putte tofore in Euery place. 1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) cxci. 280 Without doubte the spyrituel thynges be more digne and worthy than the temporall. Therfore..the moost hye thynges ought to goo to fore. 5. Beforehand; in hand for the future; left over. Cf. modern Scottish to the fore. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb] > in advance or beforehand yeteOE forea1225 beforehand?c1225 alreadyc1300 forrow1489 aforehanda1500 sincea1556 tofore1597 forwarda1604 preventively1646 anticipatelya1677 ahead1835 anticipatively1864 anticipatorily1878 1597 Trials for Witchcraft in Spalding Misc. (1841) I. 95 Hir and hir guidman..suld newir haue frie geir tofoir. C. conj. Of time: = before conj. 1. a. with that: cf. before conj. 1a. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > antecedence [conjunction] > before toforea1325 afore1340 againa1350 againsta1350 tillc1420 tofore orc1440 tofore1464 a1325 Prose Psalter lxxxix. [xc.] 2 To-fore þat þe mounteins were made. a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Matt. x. 23 To fore that mannus sone come. 1483 W. Caxton tr. A. Chartier Curial sig. iv^v Tofore that thou hast ony offyces. b. simply: cf. before conj. 1c. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > antecedence [conjunction] > before toforea1325 afore1340 againa1350 againsta1350 tillc1420 tofore orc1440 tofore1464 1464 Rolls of Parl. V. 563/2 Tofore it passe out of any of the seid Townes. 1477 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 502 Iff I had hadde it to-fore he wente. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ix So can he not condemne him for an Heretike tofore he be detected of errour. c. tofore or phr. (= ere): cf. before conj. 1b. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > antecedence [conjunction] > before toforea1325 afore1340 againa1350 againsta1350 tillc1420 tofore orc1440 tofore1464 c1440 J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (Lamb. MS.) 5 On shreffe thursday toforne or he was dede! 1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. i. 77 To fore er adam synned. 1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 25 Allewaye tofore or he wente to hys bedde. Compounds toforegoing adj. foregoing, preceding, antecedent. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective] ererc888 fernOE oldOE oldOE formerc1160 ratherc1330 before-goingc1384 formerc1384 forenexta1400 formea1400 while1399 antecedentc1400 precedentc1400 anteceding?a1425 late1446 whilom1452 preceding?a1475 forne1485 fore1490 heretofore1491 foregoing1530 toforegoing1532 further1557 firster1571 then1584 elder1594 quondam1598 forehand1600 previant1601 preallable1603 prior1607 anterior1608 previal1613 once1620 previous1621 predecessivea1627 antecedaneous?1631 preventive1641 prior1641 precedaneous1645 preventional1649 antegredient1652 senior1655 prevenient1656 precedential1661 antecedental1763 past-gone1784 antevenient1800 aforetime1835 one-time1850 onewhile1882 foretime1894 erstwhile1903 antecedane- ere- 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. cccliii^v That one is to forgoing necessite, whiche maketh thyng to be. 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. ccclv Onely through grace toforne goyng. toforehand adv. beforehand, previously. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb] erea900 beforeeOE forec1000 toforec1175 therebeforec1200 toforehand1258 forne toc1275 orc1275 andersitha1300 alreadyc1300 rather?1316 beforehandc1330 erstc1330 aforec1350 theretoforea1375 aforehanda1387 forthwitha1400 forwitha1400 or?a1400 ereward14.. toforetimec1400 aforetimes1429 aforetime1433 afore seasons1463 heretoforetime1481 forouth1487 aforrow?a1513 beforrow1568 paravant1590 antecedently1593 formerly1596 precedently1611 preveniently1633 preallably1652 previously1655 precedaneously1657 somewhiles1657 antecedaneously1661 aft1674 prior1675 anteriorly1681 antecedent1690 previous1712 priorly1742 1258To foren iseide [see sense B. 1]. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 147 I-wrete of hym an hondred ȝere and twenty ȝere to forehonde. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 175 Seint Aldelyn was to forehonde abbot of Malteby, þat is Malmesbury. c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 3681 As ye haue herd tofore hond. 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer i. f. cccxxxii Of errours comyng herafter, men may lightly to forne hande puruaye remedye. 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. ccclx If thou haue knowyng of these to fornsayd thinges. toforesaid adj. previously mentioned, aforesaid. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > [adjective] > commenting or mentioning > aforementioned foresaidc1000 beforesaida1250 before-nameda1325 said1327 same1338 abovesaid1389 aforesaid1389 said1397 foretolda1400 above-written1413 y-aforsayde1422 rememberedc1425 toforesaid1444 aforenamedc1460 fore-mindeda1475 forenamed1490 forn-said1509 prenominatea1513 above?1515 above-named1525 premised?c1525 before-mentioned1534 aforementioned1539 predicted1546 prenominated1547 above-mentioned1550 before-told1556 above-cited1575 forementioned1587 supranominated1599 before-delivered1606 former1607 prementioned1620 precited1638 before-noticed1703 oversaid1840 the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective] > aforesaid aforesaid1389 aforegoingc1443 toforesaid1444 aforenamedc1460 above?1515 aforementioned1539 fore-cited1576 forespoken1625 forestated1701 1444 Rolls of Parl. V. 121/2 Founden by an enquerre bi the Baillifs toforeseid. toforetime adv. previously, aforetime. ΘΚΠ the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb] erea900 beforeeOE forec1000 toforec1175 therebeforec1200 toforehand1258 forne toc1275 orc1275 andersitha1300 alreadyc1300 rather?1316 beforehandc1330 erstc1330 aforec1350 theretoforea1375 aforehanda1387 forthwitha1400 forwitha1400 or?a1400 ereward14.. toforetimec1400 aforetimes1429 aforetime1433 afore seasons1463 heretoforetime1481 forouth1487 aforrow?a1513 beforrow1568 paravant1590 antecedently1593 formerly1596 precedently1611 preveniently1633 preallably1652 previously1655 precedaneously1657 somewhiles1657 antecedaneously1661 aft1674 prior1675 anteriorly1681 antecedent1690 previous1712 priorly1742 c1400 Three Kings Cologne 82 (Cambr.) Þe sterre þat tofore-tyme ȝede a-fore hem. 1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 61 Him semed that he had seen them tofore tyme. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < prep.adv.conj.c888
随便看	to go abegged to go about to go about one's business to go above one's ground to go above or beyond one's latchet to go abroad to go according to plan to go acousining to go adieu to go adown to go adown to work to go afairing to go afishing to go after to go after gods to go after or follow strange flesh to go after other gods to go again to go against to go against nature to go against the crowd to go against the grain to go agateward with to go agirling to go agley