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.).
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. |
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? |
b. With ere, than.
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. |
¶ = FORTHWITH. ? = Immediately, at once.
c. 1430. Two Cookery-bks., I. 41. & put raw ȝolkys of Eyroun ij. or iij. þer-to, & choppe for-with.
1609. Bible (Douay), Josh. ii. 7. They being gone out the gate forwith was shutte.
