v. [f. FOR- pref.1 + SLOTH v.] trans. To lose, miss, neglect, spoil, or waste through sloth. Also with inf. as obj.
1297. R. Glouc. (1724), 197.
| Wanne hii [France & oþer londes] for soke ys, & for slewþed, [v.r. uorslewedej & to non defence ne come, | |
| Þe we þoru chyualerye out of her poer ys nome. |
c. 1386. Chaucer, Nun’s Pr. T., 275.
| But sith I see that thou wolt heer abyde, | |
| And thus for-sleuthen wilfully thy tyde. |
1393. Gower, Conf., II. 190.
| Where stood whilom the gode greine, | |
| For the prelats now, as men fain, | |
| Forslouthen that they sholden tille. |
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. VIII. 51.
| Boþe bred and ale · botere, melke, and chese | |
| For-sleuõe[d] in my seruice · [and] sette hous a fuyre. |
c. 1440. Ps. Penit. (1894), 33.
| Y haue forsleuthid thi service, | |
| And lytul lyved aftur thi lore | |
| But now y repente and arise | |
| Mercy ihesu y wil no more. |
c. 1470. in Myrc’s Par. Priest (1868), 64. Alle graces that thowe hast forslowthed, not onely for drede of dethe or any other payne, but rather more for love of god.
1555. Arb. Parker, Ps. xxxiii. 20.
| Our soule hath taryed quietly, | |
| For thys our God assuredly, | |
| Our guide, our shield most trustely. | |
| Forslouth not thys. |
a. 1557. Mrs. Basset, trans. More’s Treat. the Passion, Wks. 1362/2. By his slepyng hee forslouthed to praye and call for gods help, he gaue the deuyl suche auauntage vppon him.
