A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1409-1436, 1499-1513, 1596-1621
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To-for(e, To-forn(e, adv. and prep. Also: to-foir. [ME and e.m.E. to-foren (Layamon), to-for (a1250), to-fore (a1272), to-forn (a1325), OE tóforan.]
A. adv. 1. = Before adv. 1, Beforn adv., previously; at an earlier time.(a) c1409-1436 Kingis Quair § 181.
The quhich[e] … all my wittis maistrit had tofore a1500 Henr. Praise of Age 21.
Of the thing that tofore ioyit he Nothing remaynis a1500 Quare of Jelusy 517.
Quho schall thame meue of weping eve and mo[rowe] Quhich seith to fore syne rymyth on thair sorowe 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 120.
Tofoir 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 120 (L).
A lytell hete aperyt in my face Quhilk had tofore beyn pale 1513 Doug. vii xi 127.
Pepill … Quhilkis lang tofor, dysvsit had the weir 1513 Doug. ix Prol. 20.
Accordyng the purpos said tofor 1513 Doug. Direct. 121.
Twelf ȝheris tofor 1609 Garden Garden 71.
These royal vertues haill That thou to fore hes found 1621 Acts IV 696/1.
The samyn sufficiencie … quhilk hes tofoir bene apparent in thame selffis and in thair ancessoures(b) 1513 Doug. i Prol. 413.
He followit Virgillis lantern toforn [Ruddim. to forne] 1513 Doug. i Prol. 427.
Ene dyd na thing … Bot quhilk the goddis commandit hym beforn [E., R., 1553 to forne]
2. A further example of Fore n. 3, to (the) fore, present, on hand, in reserve.1596–7 Misc. Spald. C. I 95.
That thow suld gar bayth hir and hir guidman be handschairp in thair geir, and suld newir haue frie geir tofoir. Sen the quhilk tyme [etc.]
B. prep. a. = Before prep. 1, in front of. b. = Before prep. 2, preceding, before in time.a. c1409-1436 Kingis Quair § 103.
Ryght tofore myn eye a1500 Quare of Jelusy 534.
Drink not the poysoun sene to fore thine eyeb. 1513 Doug. iv vi 93.
Bot, at the leist, tofor thi wayfleyng, Had I a child [etc.]
