† Forte, fort

variant of FORTO prep. and conj. Obs. Also sometimes standing for for to before an infinitive: see FOR prep. 11, 11 b.

1

a. 1175. Cott. Hom., 235. Nas tid ne tyme ne ne wrð þat god ne send gode mænn his folc forte ȝelaðie to his rice.

2

a. 1225. Ancr. R., 96. Ȝif eni mon bit fort iseon ou.

3

c. 1300. Beket, 86. Out he ȝeode forte awaite what that wonder were.

4

1307. Elegy Edw. I., ii.

	Al Englond ahte forte knowe,
	Of wham that song ys that y synge.

5

1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. II. 4. Teche me þe kuynde craft · forte knowe þe false.

6

c. 1425. Seven Sag. (P.), 44.

7