a. and adv. Also (? 4) 5 fyrthest, fertherest, forthest(e, 6 furdest. See also FARTHEST. [superl. formed (app. in the 14th c.) to correspond to the comparative FURTHER.
The instances in the 14th c. are somewhat doubtful (at least with regard to the precise form of the word), owing to the absence of contemporary MSS.]
A. adj.
1. Most advanced in any direction. Also as the superl. of FAR a. (now usually superseded by FARTHEST): Situated at the greatest distance, most remote. lit. and fig.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., IV. pr. vi. (Skeat), 86. Þilke [cercle] þat is outterest is unfolden by larger spaces in so moche as it is forthest [MS. C. and ed. Thynne fertherest] fro þe middel simplicitee of þe poynt.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 108. Whan I wende next have be Than was I furthest ate laste.
1559. W. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 60. I take th eleuation of the pole at Portsmouth, whiche is the furdest place on the south shore of Englande.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, II. i. 275. I will fetch you a tooth-picker now from the farthest inch of Asia.
1725. Swift, Corr., Wks. 1841, II. 576. The furthest corner of Naboths vineyard.
1779. Burke, Corr. (1844), II. 293. Those who are the furthest in the world from you in religious tenets.
a. 1881. Rossetti, House of Life, x.
That he who seeks her beautys furthest goal, | |
Beyond the light that the sweet glances throw | |
And refluent wave of the sweet smile, may know | |
The very sky and sea-line of her soul. |
2. † a. In past time: Earliest, first (obs.). b. In future time: Latest. Obs. exc. absol. in at (the) furthest.
1552. Edw. VI., Jrnl., 25 Oct. That they might be in such place by Christmas or Candlemas at the furdest.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. I. 85. He should take the towne in fifteene dayes, or a moneth at the furthest.
a. 1648. Ld. Herbert, Life (1770), 16. When I came to talk, one of the furthest inquiries I made was how I came into this world?
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pintos Trav., i. 2. The funeral pomp of the deceased King Emanuel of happy memory was celebrated at Lisbon, namely December, 1521, which is the furthest thing I can remember.
B. adv. To or at the greatest distance, farthest.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., IV. pr. vi. (Skeat), 91. Thilke thing that departeth forthest [MSS. A and C fyrthest] fro the first thoght of god.
1559. W. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 156. Thother part furdest Weast, noted wyth I.
a. 1577. Gascoigne, Hearbes, Weedes, etc. Wks. (1587), 185. The stiffe and strongest arme shootes furdest stil.
1789. Butler, Serm., Wks. 1874, II. 192. Ideas the furthest removed from anything sensual.
1886. D. C. Murray, Aunt Rachel, II. 68. Even when his thoughts wandered furthest, he was mechanically accurate.
Comb. 1880. Gladstone, in Daily News, 28 Feb., 3/2. From the highest Tory to the furthest-going Home Ruler.