v. Obs. exc. arch. Forms: 1 forsláwian, 3–4 for-, south. vorslewe, 6–7 for(e)slow(e, (6 foresloe). Pa. t. 6–7 for(e)slowed, (6 -slowe). Pa. pple. 3 vorslewede, 6 for(e)slowed, -slowne, 9 foreslowen. [OE. forsláwian, f. FOR- pref.1 + sláwian to be slow, f. sláw, SLOW a.]
† 1. trans. To be slow or dilatory about; to lose or spoil by sloth; to delay, neglect, omit, put off. Also with inf. obj. Obs. exc. arch.
c. 888. K. Ælfred, Boeth., x. Ðu auht ne forslawode þætte þu þin aȝen feorh for hine ne sealdest.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 4055. Wanne hii vorsoke is & uorslewede [v.r. for slewþed] · & to none defense ne come.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 114.
| Hyt hys thorwe besynesse | |
| That men for-slewyth hyt. |
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 611. This foule sinne Accidie … forsleweth and forsluggeth, and destroyeth alle goodes temporeles by reccheleesnesse.
1507. Will of Duke (Somerset Ho.). My tithes forgoten or forslewyd.
1585. Abp. Sandys, Serm. (1841), 172. By procrastination, driving off, and forslowing our turning to the Lord and looking for our change, three great dangers do ensue.
1591. Harington, Orl. Fur., XLI. xlvii.
| He thinks that God will of his mightie powre, | |
| Sith he foreslowed when he was on ground, | |
| To be baptizd in waters fresh, and fitter, | |
| To sowse him now in waues both salt and bitter. |
1571. Hanmer, Chron. Irel. (1633), 171.
| Do good then here, fore slow no time, | |
| Cast off all worldly cares; | |
| For brittel world full soone doth faile, | |
| And death doth strike unwares. |
1677. W. Hubbard, Narrative, 71. They were resolved to foreslow no opportunity.
1862. Sir H. Taylor, St. Clement’s Eve, III. vi. Rash attempts shall fitly be foreslowen.
† 2. To make slow, delay, hinder, impede, obstruct; to slacken. Obs. exc. arch.
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 274/2. He foreslowed not his iourneie.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., June, 117.
| But now is time, I gesse, homeward to goe: | |
| Then ryse ye blessed flocks, and home apace, | |
| Least night with stealing steppes doe you forsloe, | |
| And wett your tender Lambes, that by you trace. |
1603. Sir C. Heydon, Jud. Astrol., xxi. 474. Saturne doth onely foreslow the operation of the Moone; the rest of the Planets doe all further her working.
a. 1660. Hammond, Wks. (1684), IV. 565. If they be any time foreslowed and trashed by either outward or inward restraints.
1682. Dryden, To Duchess on her return, 15.
| The wond’ring Nereids, though they raised no storm, | |
| Foreslow’d [Bell printed foreflowed] her passage, to behold her form. |
1855. Singleton, Virgil, I. 140.
| Why speed so fast | |
| To dip them in the ocean wintry suns, | |
| Or what delay foreslows the laggard nights. |
absol. 1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 261. Nature … doth not either preuent or foreslow vnlesse shee be prouoked and hastned before her time, or else hindered or interrupted at her owne time.
† 3. intr. To be slow or dilatory. Obs.
1571. Golding, Calvin on Ps. xi. 8. Although God forslow and delay for a while, yit … the time of vengeance will surely come.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., II. iii. 56. Foreslow no longer, make we hence amaine.
Hence Forslowed ppl. a., Forslowing vbl. sb. Also Forslower, one who ‘forslows.’
c. 1590. Cartwright, in Presbyt. Rev. (1888), IX. Jan., 116. Much les cast you into forfiture for a fooresloed [printed foorestoed] letter.
1593. Nashe, Christs T., 81 b. Of these fore-slowers it is sayde, Those that be neyther hote nor cold, I will spue them out of my mouth.
1611. Cotgr., Accrochement … a staying, delaying, or foreslowing, of a Suit.
