v. Obs. [f. FAR adv. + CAST v.] trans. To cast to a distance off; in derivatives fig.

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a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter, i. 5. Dost þe whilk wynd fercastis fra þe face of þe erth. Ibid., xxx. 28. I am ferkasten fra þe clere syght of þi fairhede.

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  † Hence Far-cast sb., the action or quality of casting (one’s thoughts) to a distance; forethought, shrewdness, cunning. Cf. CAST sb. VI and VII. Far-caster, one who exercises forethought. Far-casting vbl. sb., forethought, cunning. Far-casting ppl. a., scheming, shrewd.

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c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 1447.

        Lo, how fortune is felle & of fer caste.
    Ibid., x. 4351.
And þen the fynde, with his falshed & his fer cast,
Entrid in þat ymage, & onswaret the pepull.
    Ibid., VIII. 3950.
Mony wordys hade the wegh, wise of his dedis,
In fele thinges forwise, & a fer caster.

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c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), xx. 219. Of malice and of fercastynge þei passen all men vnder heuene.

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1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VI. 23. Machometus was a wonderful man and fer castynge.

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1480.  Caxton, Chron. Eng., clxii. 146. [He] was a fell man and a subtil enuious and ferre castynge.

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1567–83.  Leg. Bp. Sanctandrois, 43, in Sempill Ball., 201. Then finding out ane new far cast [printed fas cast].

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