Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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

For(e)-, Foirwerk, n. Also: foirwark, for(e)work. [Werk n.] a. A front portion of a building. b. The front of a cupboard.a. 1497 Treas. Acc. I. 328.
Giffin to … [the] masoune in part of payment of the forwerk of Dunbar Ib. 334. 1502 Ib. II. 269.
In pairt of payment of his task of the foirwerk and the new hall in Halyrudhous a1586 Maitland Geneal. Setoun 34.
This lady biggit the foirwark … abone the ȝet 1666 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II. 155.
[A licence] for extending the forework of his tenementb. 1563–4 Edinb. Old. Acc. I. 452.
Ane Eistland burd … to be the foirwerk of the said almery