Far-forth

adv.: see FAR and FORTH; also 5 ferthforthe. Now usually as two words.

  † 1.  To a great distance or extent; far, far on.

c. 1470.  Hardyng, Chron., lxxii. (1812), 120. She ferforth with childe was then begonne.

1483.  Caxton, G. de la Tour, C vij. And it was thenne ferforthe on the day.

c. 1500.  Melusine, xix. 106. These tydings were ferfourth brought in the land, that Vryan knew of it.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., III. ix. 53. The humid night was farforth spent.

1858.  M. Porteous, Souter Johnny, 30. Farforth to range.

  † b.  quasi-adj. Farforth day: late in the day, ‘high-day.’ Obs.

c. 1440.  Hylton, Scala Perf. (W. de W., 1494), II. xxxii. Al y^e soules that are in this state are not al lyke ferforth.

c. 1450.  Merlin, 282. It is so ferforth that it is to late for vs to repente.

1560.  Ingelend, The Disobedient Child, in Hazl., Dodsley, II. 312.

  2.  To a definite degree, or distance; in phrases, how, so, or thus far-forth, as or so far-forth as, so far forth that.

  † a.  in reference to distance or advanced position in space, time, or order. Obs.

c. 1340.  Cursor M., 22711 heading (Trin.). Now we be þus ferforþ come.

1430.  Lydgate, Chronicle of Troy, I. vi.

1526.  Tindale, Luke xxii. 51. Jesus answered and sayde: Soffre ye thus farre forthe. And he touched his eare, and healed hym.

1570–6.  Lambarde, A Perambulation of Kent (1826), 117. He gave also … the royaltie of the water on each side, so farre foorth as … a man might cast a short hatchet out of the vessell unto the banke.

  b.  in reference to degree or extent. Now only in phrase So far forth, with sense ‘to the specified extent and no more.’

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 9204. Alle þes were aȝen þe kinge, as verþuorþ as hii couþe.

a. 1340.  Cursor Mundi, 1585 (Trin.).

c. 1384.  Chaucer, H. Fame, III. 792. As fer forthe as I han my arte.

1413.  Lydg., Pilgr. Sowle, I. xxvii. (1859), 31. Jhesu Crist somtime soo ferforth remitted his rigour, descending downe to the erthe oute of his heuenly trone.

1464.  Paston Lett., No. 486, II. 152. As fertheforthe as I kan undyrstand yet, they shall have grase.

1533.  Heywood, Pard. & Friar, in Hazl., Dodsley, I. 207. Many a man so far-forth lacketh grace.

1549.  Coverdale, Erasm. Par. Rom., Argt. Knowyng well how farfurth his disciples, had nede of lyght meate, as mylke is, or of strong foode, & therwith also knew he the degrees of ages in Christe, and what was for euerie age meete.

1610.  Shaks., Temp., I. ii. 178.

1635.  Pagitt, Christianogr., I. iii. (1636), 179. [They] are so farre forth orthodox, that they retaine a saving profession of all divine verities.

1690.  Locke, Govt., II. ii. § 2. Every Offence that can be committed in the State of Nature, may in the State of Nature, be also punished, equally, and as far forth, as it may, in a Commonwealth.

1827.  Whately, Logic, iv. i. § 1. Induction … so far forth as it is an argument, may, of course, be stated Syllogistically.

  Hence, Far forthly adv. Obs., to a great or definite extent; also, entirely, excellently.

1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. VIII. 158. Dowel on Domesday · Is digneliche [v.r. ferforþliche] I-preiset.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, III. 52.

c. 1430.  Life St. Kath. (1884), 19. So ferforthly that alle creatures schal haue neede to hym.

1481[?].  Caxton, Orat. G. Flamineus, F iv. How ofte I had for my guerdons the rounde crowne accustomed to be yeuen to that knyght whiche auaunced hym self moost ferforthly and manly in the bataylle.

1494.  Fabyan, Chron., V. cxl. 127. The people of this realme was wonderfully mynysshed, & lassyd so ferforthlye, that … the quicke bodyes suffysed not to bury the ded.