Obs. [perh. repr. OE. firen, ON. firn pl., orig. a crime, monstrous thing; for the sense cf. mod.Icel. firní ‘a great deal, a lot’ (Vigf.).] A huge quantity or number.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3997 (Cott.).
| O þis gret aght þou has me lent | |
| I sal gret fern be-for me sent. |
c. 1325. English Metrical Homilies, 126.
| And a lazer that ilk tim, | |
| Com and asked Crist his hele, | |
| Bifor tha fern of folc sa fele. |
