prep. and conj. Obs. [f. FOR prep. + To prep.]
A. prep. Till, until; up to, as far as.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 33. Al mankin was wunende on muchele wowe, sum on þisse worelde, and sum on helle pine, forte þat ilke time þat [etc.].
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 38. Aue Maria, uort Dominus tecum.
1297. R. Glouc. (1724), 463. Þe kyng vorto Mydewynter ney byseged þe emperesse.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 4796.
And that strengthe him last | |
Fort arnemorwe. |
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), II. 25. Alle þe woke longe, forto Saturday at none.
b. In conjunctional phrase. Fort(e that: until.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 51. Þe king of babilonie bilai þe burh [ierusalem] forte þat hit [= he it] wan.
c. 1275. Lay., 11518.
Mauric verde vorþ riht | |
mid þreo wise cnihtes | |
forte þat he come | |
to Maximian to Rome. |
c. 1330. King of Tars, 395.
The mayden no thing ne slepe, | |
But al niht lay and wepe | |
Forte that day gon dawe. |
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. VII. 2.
A gyde, | |
Þat mihte folwen us vch a fote · forte þat we come þere. |
c. 1450. Two Cookery-bks., 114. Wash hem [peson] clene in cold water, fort that ye holys go of.
B. conj. Till, until.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 23. For to þe time cam þat he heregede helle.
c. 1275. Lay., 7563.
Alle dai was þat fiht | |
forte hit were dorcke niȝt. |
c. 13[?]. Guy Warw. (A.), 668.
No grome louen y no may | |
Fort he be kniȝt. |
c. 1440. Marriage Serv., in Bk. Offices (MS. Hereford Cath. No. 45). Ich take the to my wedded wife forte deth us departe.
c. 1450. Two Cookery-bks., II. 114. Nym a pond of ris, seth hem fort hit berste.