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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.

Forga, Forgo(e, v. Also: forgay(e. [Northern ME. orga (midl. & south forgo, -gon), OE. forgán.]

1. tr. To do without, dispense with, give up.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxv. 604.
That craft hym helpyt sa That he wald na wa it for-ga Ib. xxxii. 121.
Sa increly [her] lufit he, That he ne mocht hir luf for-ga c1420 Wynt. v. 3258.
Or thai suffere wald swylk a payne. … Thaire tribwte lewyre thai wald forga 1456 Hay I. 154/33.
The hors … and myn othir gere … , that I may nocht forga gudely c1515 Asl. MS. I. 286/18.
Quhom to scho kest sic delectatioun that on na wys scho wald for-ga it 1531 Rec. Earld. Orkney 214.
All that is bettir to haf nor for to forga 1535 Stewart 21573.
Thairfoir thai said that tha wald nocht forga All Cummerland c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii. 827.
For ladies had rather be Vestais fa, Nor crab Venus; or ȝit hir court forga(b) a1500 Bk. Chess 1476.
He … erar thocht this vergyne to forgo Than want this man that he had luffit so 15.. Clar. i. 922.
Ah! sall I now forgoe my warld blise, That so we sould depairt a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxix. 20.
Thay never thocht in hairt me to forgo

b. To lose, forfeit. c1420 Wynt. v. 594.
He … bade wyth barne thai suld hym ma Or than thai suld thaire lyff for-ga Ib. viii. 1102.
Scho … Behowyd all the land for-ga 1567 G. Ball. 141.
Tell me now, … How that I suld my lyfe forga

c. To part with as a gift. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii. 803.
And threid of gold to thé I sall forga

2. intr. = Forfare v. 1. a1500 Bk. Chess 995.
Allace … That knychtis suld se the worthy men forgo For warldlye gud