Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fordwart, adv. Also: -warte, -uart, -wert, -uert; foirdwart. [Var. of Fordward adv. Cf. Forthwart adv.]

1. Forward in space; further on.A common form during the 16th century. 1513 Doug. v. xii. 79.
Lat ws follow that way, Bakwart or fordwart 1533 Bell. Livy II. 116/15.
Ane of the banerman ȝede nocht sa fast fordwart with the baner as he desirit c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 519.
He … bowtit fordwart with ane bend 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 7.
That we … may endivour us … to walk fordwart in the waiis of the Lord a1578 Pitsc. II. 38/22.
The first battell that came fordwart to haue chaiseit the Scottisfig. 1562-3 Winȝet II. 51/11.
That it may schuit men forduart to the consent thairof

b. Towards the enemy or a destination; on a warlike expedition or journey. 1527 Buccleuch Mun. II. 331.
That all maner of man … be reddy … to move fordwart 1549 Acts II. 600/1.
That they … with armes and wapounes … cum fordwartt at the first day of August 1562 Reg. Privy C. I. 223.
Quhilkis offerit … to pas fordwart with thair kin and freindis … for apprehending of the said Erle a1578 Pitsc. I. 286/10.
Schir Androw Wode … dressit his schipis to pase fordwart 1588 Reg. Privy C. IV. 248.
And frathyne to pas fordwart for persute of the saidis dissobedient … personis 1611-57 Mure Dido iii. 213.
Now anchors wey! … Once let's set fordwart all 1615 Highland P. III. 286.
The E. of Ergyle is gane fordwart hame

c. With the head forward. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1294.
He hat the knicht … That he fell fordwart on his kneis 1598 Misc. Spald. C. I. 100.
Thou pat him nyne tymes fordwart throch ane hesp of vnvatterit yarne

d. In the natural order. a1585 Maitl. Q. xxxii. 11.
Reid bakwart or fordwart and ȝe sall find the lyike sentence and meter 1578 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 86.
Efter the ordour following … and sua forduart throw the rollis

2. Onward; so as to make progress. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 684.
Now to my purpose fordwart will I fair c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 380.
Now herkin fordwart; and ȝe sall schortlie heir The secund proffeit 1574 Sat. P. xlii. 552.
I say na mair, But fordwart to my purpois fair 1581 Cath. Tr. 150/21.
To pas forduart, gif ane priuat man [etc.]

b. To set fordwart, to advance, promote, improve. Also similarly with other verbs.(1) 1545 Douglas Corr. 158.
I sal … be glade to set fordvart the uneing off thir two ralmis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 464.
Gude counsallis the procurour For to set fordwart gude laubour 1558-66 Knox II. 301.
Sufficient to … supporte the Quenis Majestie, to interteany and sett fordwarte the commoun effaires of the countrey 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 9.
Persauing thir ȝong men sa bent to set forduart the treu and Catholik fayth 1606 Highland P. III. 87.
To set fordwart … sic reformatioune … as it sall pleas his hienes best to dewyse(2) 1570 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 654/2.
My bairn … growis weill, and cumin weill fordwart 1570 Leslie 300.
He buir the matier so fordwart aganis thame all … that [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. I. 18/11.
Giff he haid haldin fordwart his wicked purpois a1570-86 Maitl. F. cxii. 4.
Thinkand I had sum freindis thair To helpe fordwarte my beseynes 1579 Edinb. Test. VII. 162.
I leiff the kyndnes of my mailling to my bairne gif God bring it fordwart 1597 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 204.
[The council] agreyet that the contract with the brewares gang fordwart

3. Further in time. 1513 Doug. ii. ii. 67.
From thens fordwart, Vlixes … begouth affray me sair 1536 Dunferm. B. Rec. 17.
Fra this day fordwert