Forms: α. 1 fyrðran, -ian, 2–4 furðrien, 3 Orm. firrþrenn, north. firther, 4 ferthren, -ther, furthren, 4, 6 Sc. furthir, (6 furthur), 6–8 furder, 4– further. β. 3–4 forthren, 4 forþer, -thor, 4–6 forther, ire, 5, 8 forder. See also FARTHER v. [OE. fyrðr(i)an, f. furðor, -ðra FURTHER adv. and adj.; equivalent forms are OHG. furdiren (MHG. vürdern, mod.G. fördern); cf. also OHG. fordarôn (MHG. vordern, mod.G. fordern) to further, call forth, demand.]
1. trans. To help forward, assist (usually things; less frequently † persons); to promote, favor (an action or movement). Cf. FARTHER v. † Also to further forth, on.
c. 888. K. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxix. § 2. Þæt hi maȝen henan ða yflan and fyrþrian þa godan.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 11. Ac alle þo þe leueð þat swilch þing hem muȝe furðrie oðer letten, ben cursed of godes muðe.
c. 1200. Ormin, 1250. Ȝiff þu firrþresst fremmde menn.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 156. Ðet tet swuðest auaunceð & furðreð hit, þet is onlich stude.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 27918. Sua vr flexs to firþer and fede, þat it fale in na dedli dede.
a. 1310. in Wright’s, Lyric P., xxxvi. 99.
| God, that deȝedest on the rod, | |
| al this world to forthren ant fylle. |
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., II. pr. iv. 41 (Camb. MS.). I haue sumwhat auaunced and forþered be, quod she.
1412–20. Lydgate, Chronicle of Troy, II. x.
| I toke but on me this storye to translate, | |
| For me to further Clio came to late. |
1477. Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 18. Ire troubleth reason, and letteth alle goode werkis and furthereth all euyl.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, V. xiii. 112. And furthir hym eik sall I Ontil Avern, clepit the loch of hell.
1566. in Keith, Hist. Ch. Scotl. (1734), 331. The saids Rebels … promittit they should forder him to the Crown Matrimoniall.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., IV. (1586), 158. You must … further their laying, by giving them meates for the purpose.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks (1621), 877. Furthered with a faire gale of wind.
1664. Power, Experimental Philosophy, Preface, 20. Though he have erroneously superstructed upon his Experiments, yet the Foundation being solid, a more wary Builder may be very much further’d by it, in the erection of a more judicious and consistent Fabrick.
1715. M. Davies, Athen. Brit., I. 172. Barnevelt’s hard Fate was occasion’d or further’d on by Maurice.
1777–1808. Mayne, Siller Gun, III. xxv. Here Discord strave new broils to forder.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., xi. To remain together in arms for furthering the covenanted work of reformation.
1866. Geo. Eliot, F. Holt, ix. I came to see … if you had any wishes that I could further.
1869. Rogers, Pref. to Adam Smith’s W. N., I. 6. The necessity of furthering a general system of school training.
absol. 1560–78. Bible (Genev.), To Chr. Rdr., 52. Some notable worde … which may greatly further … for memorie.
1607. S. Hieron, Defence, I. 160. Wheras the addition of 2 or 3 wordes oftentimes furthereth to the meaning.
† 2. To honor. Obs. rare.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Anel. & Arc., 273. And thenken yee that ferthered be your name To love a newe.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 11170. To forther þat fre with fynerall seruys.
3. intr. To go on, continue; to advance, make progress. Obs. exc. Sc.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 107. Eft sone sum godes giue is bigunnen alse rihte leue and furðreð alse trust.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 5397. And touche we ferre as þis tale forþeres.
1560. Rolland, The Court of Venus, II. 378. Wald thow further and prosper in thy wais.
1789. D. Davidson, Seasons, etc. 182.
| Wha fastest rides does aft least forder— | |
| Therefore, ere we shall reach the border, | |
| May be your Muse | |
| Shall see my poney out of order, | |
| For lack o’ shoes. |
1794. Burns, Hee Balou, 10. Thro’ the Lawlands, o’er the border, Weel, my babie, may thou furder.
† 4. trans. To put (an event) further; to defer, postpone. Obs.
1529. Wolsey, Lett. to [Crumwell], in St. Papers (1830), I. 351. The ferderyng and puttyng ovyr of your commyng hyther bath … increasyd my sorowe.
