adv. and prep. Obs. See also FOROUTH, FORROW. [f. FOR adv. or FOR- pref.2 + WITH.] = BEFORE adv. and prep. (used of place, time, order, etc.).

1

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 214 (Cott.).

        And o þe dreri days fiueten
þat sal cum for-wit domesday.
    Ibid., 1068 (Gött.).
Þis caym þat i forwid melte
vnto his broþer ire he bare.
    Ibid., 11005 (Cott).
He þat suld cum help vr hele
Sent him forwit his bedele,
For-þi sent iesus iohn forwith,
Ar he him-self til vs wald kyth.
    Ibid., 11499.
Melchior … Wit recles forwit him he fell.

2

a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 15.

        And I forwith ȝow alle · ettillis to schewe
Of ane Emperoure þ aȝefullest.
    Ibid., 1675.
As oure fadirs has folowid · forwith þis tyme.
    Ibid., 2242.
Quare-to feynys þou þis fare · for-with myne eȝen?

3

  b.  With ere, than.

4

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 10904 (Cott.).

        Als neuer did womman forwit ar.
    Ibid., 10952.
Quils he praid in þe kyrk allan,
Als he forwit þan was wont.
    Ibid., 14423.
Als i haf teld yow forwit ar.

5

  ¶ = FORTHWITH. ? = Immediately, at once.

6

c. 1430.  Two Cookery-bks., I. 41. & put raw ȝolkys of Eyroun ij. or iij. þer-to, & choppe for-with.

7

1609.  Bible (Douay), Josh. ii. 7. They being gone out the gate forwith was shutte.

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