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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.

Forow, Forrow, adv. and prep. Also: forou(e, foirow, forrowe. [Reduced form of Forouth. Cf. Aforrow, Beforrow, Toforrow.]

a. adv. Beforehand, previously. 1375 Barb. i. 120.
Walys ensample mycht have bene To ȝow, had ȝe it forow sene Ib. iv. 437.
Quhar that the men war forrow slane ?1438 Alex. ii. 635.
Gaudifeir thi father forow … Duke Betys sister tuke to wife a1500 Rauf C. 538.
Bot gif I fand thé forrow now to keip my cunnand a1568 Scott xxxiv. 40 (M).
Ȝe traist to find thame trew That never was able forrow

B. prep. 1. Before (in time), previous to.(a) c1420 Wynt. v. 992.
Quhare he lay In tyll hys bed, lang forow day Ib. vi. 1889 (W).
A dreme, That he saw forow that in sleping 1474 Acta Aud. 35/1.
On Friday forou Witsonday 1490 Irland Mir. fol. 277.
His syn … is remittit forow that he confes him of it 1529 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 14.
The provest … dischargis thame of ony bying of fische apone Fryday, nothir forow none nor efter 1568 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 14.
That na barnes be baptisit bot … befoir preching foirow none(b) 1375 Barb. v. 18.
A litill forrow the evyn ?1438 Alex. ii. 2827.
Ane lytle forrow the sone rysing 1502 Orkney Rentals 91.
Baith forrow the said Nichollis tyme & eftir his deceise 1535 Stewart 12203.
Lang forrow this … In Albione greit farleis thair wes sene 1561 Inverness B. Rec. I. 60.
That nane by tymmyr forrow mercat tyme of day 1589 Waus Corr. II. 436.
Quhill sax dayis forrow Mertimes nixt is 1610 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 312.
Nane to play … at nane of the saidis pastymes vpone the Sabboth day, forrow none nor eftir none

2. Before (in place), in front of. 1375 Barb. vii. 145.
I will That ȝhe ga forrow us a1400 Leg. S. xix. 648.
He to god … Send thame forow hym to hewine c1420 Wynt. v. 906 (W).
He passit his fader in gud fame. And reknyt is forow him by his name ?1438 Alex. ii. 2299.
Quhen I se hir forow me Ib. 4085.
Floridas forrow his fallowis raid a1500 Henr. Bl. S. 76.
Tak ȝe my sark … And hing it forrow ȝow