Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

For

rep.

[AS.

for

fore

; akin to OS.

for

fora

furi

, D.

voor

, OHG.

fora

, G.

vor

, OHG.

furi

, G.

für

, Icel.

fyrir

, Sw.

för

, Dan.

for

, adv.

för

, Goth.

faúr

faúra

, L.

pro

, Gr. [GREEK], Skr.

pra

-. √ 202. Cf.

In the most general sense, indicating that in consideration of, in view of, or with reference to, which anything is done or takes place.

Indicating the antecedent cause or occasion of an action; the motive or inducement accompanying and prompting to an act or state; the reason of anything; that on account of which a thing is or is done.

With fiery eyes sparkling

for

very wrath.

Shakespeare

How to choose dogs

for

scent or speed.

Waller.

Now,

for

so many glorious actions done,

For

peace at home, and

for

the public wealth,
I mean to crown a bowl

for

Cæsar’s health.

Dryden.

That which we,

for

our unworthiness, are afraid to crave, our prayer is, that God,

for

the worthiness of his Son, would, notwithstanding, vouchsafe to grant.

Hooker.

Indicating the remoter and indirect object of an act; the end or final cause with reference to which anything is, acts, serves, or is done.

The oak

for

nothing ill,
The osier good

for

twigs, the poplar

for

the mill.

Spenser.

It was young counsel

for

the persons, and violent counsel

for

the matters.

Bacon.

Shall I think the worls was made

for one

,
And men are born

for

kings, as beasts

for

men,
Not

for

protection, but to be devoured?

Dryden.

For he writes not

for

money, nor

for

praise.

Denham.

Indicating that in favor of which, or in promoting which, anything is, or is done; hence, in behalf of; in favor of; on the side of; – opposed to against.

We can do nothing against the truth, but

for

the truth.

2 Cor. xiii. 8.

It is

for

the general good of human society, and consequently of particular persons, to be true and just; and it is

for

men's health to be temperate.

Tillotson.

Aristotle is

for

poetical justice.

Dennis.

Indicating that toward which the action of anything is directed, or the point toward which motion is made; [GREEK]ntending to go to.

We sailed from Peru

for

China and Japan.

Bacon.

Indicating that on place of or instead of which anything acts or serves, or that to which a substitute, an equivalent, a compensation, or the like, is offered or made; instead of, or place of.

And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life

for

life, eye

for

eye, tooth

for

tooth, hand

for

hand, foot

for

foot.

Ex. xxi. 23, 24.

Indicating that in the character of or as being which anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being.

We take a falling meteor

for

a star.

Cowley.

If a man can be fully assured of anything

for

a truth, without having examined, what is there that he may not embrace

for

tru[GREEK]?

Locke.

Most of our ingenious young men take up some cried-up English poet for

their model.

Dryden.

But let her go

for

an ungrateful woman.

Philips.

Indicating that instead of which something else controls in the performing of an action, or that in spite of which anything is done, occurs, or is; hence, equivalent to notwithstanding, in spite of; – generally followed by all, aught, anything, etc.

The writer will do what she please

for

all me.

Spectator.

God's desertion shall,

for

aught he knows, the next minute supervene.

Dr. H. More.

For

anything that legally appears to the contrary, it may be a contrivance to fright us.

Swift.

Indicating the space or time through which an action or state extends; hence, during; in or through the space or time of.

For

many miles about
There 's scarce a bush.

Shakespeare

Since, hired

for

life, thy servile muse sing.

prior.

To guide the sun's bright chariot

for

a day.

Garth.

Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done.

[Obs.]

We 'll have a bib,

for

spoiling of thy doublet.

Beau. & Fl.

For

, or

As for

so far as concerns; as regards; with reference to; – used parenthetically or independently. See under

As for

me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Josh. xxiv. 15.

–

For all that

notwithstanding; in spite of.

–

For all the world

wholly; exactly.

“Whose posy was, for all the world, like cutlers' poetry.”

Shak.

–

For as much as

, or

Forasmuch as

in consideration that; seeing that; since.

–

For by

See

Forby

adv.

–

For ever

eternally; at all times. See

Forever

–

For me

, or

For all me

as far as regards me.

–

For my life

, or

For the life of me

if my life depended on it.

[Colloq.]

T. Hook.

–

For that

For the reason that

because; since.

[Obs.]

“For that I love your daughter.”

Shak.

–

For thy

, or

Forthy

[AS.

forðȳ

for this; on this account.

[Obs.]

“Thomalin, have no care for thy.”

Spenser.

–

For to

as sign of infinitive, in order to; to the end of.

[Obs., except as sometimes heard in illiterate speech.]

– “What went ye out for to see?”

Luke vii. 25.

See

rep.

, 4.

–

O for

would that I had; may there be granted; – elliptically expressing desire or prayer.

“O for a muse of fire.”

Shak.

–

Were it not for

, or

If it were not for

leaving out of account; but for the presence or action of.

“Moral consideration can no way move the sensible appetite, were it not for the will.”

Sir M. Hale.

For

onj.

Because; by reason that; for that; indicating, in Old English, the reason of anything.

And

for

of long that way had walkéd none,
The vault was hid with plants and bushes hoar.

Fairfax.

And Heaven defend your good souls, that you think
I will your serious and great business scant,

For

she with me.

Shakespeare

Since; because; introducing a reason of something before advanced, a cause, motive, explanation, justification, or the like, of an action related or a statement made. It is logically nearly equivalent to since, or because, but connects less closely, and is sometimes used as a very general introduction to something suggested by what has gone before.

Give thanks unto the Lord;

for

he is good;

for

his mercy endureth forever.

Ps. cxxxvi. 1.

Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
Not light them for themselves;

for

if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, 't were all alike
As if we had them not.

Shakespeare

Syn. – See

Because

For

Noun.

One who takes, or that which is said on, the affrimative side; that which is said in favor of some one or something; – the antithesis of against, and commonly used in connection with it.

The fors and against

those in favor and those opposed; the pros and the cons; the advantages and the disadvantages.

Jane Austen.

Webster 1828 Edition

For

FOR

, prep. [L. per.; The English, for; to forbid. For corresponds in sense with the L. pro, as fore does with proe, but pro and proe are probably contracted from prod, proed. The Latin por, in composition, as in porrigo, is probably contracted from porro, Gr. which is the English far. The Gr. are from the same root. The radical sense of for is to go, to pass, to advance, to reach or stretch.]

Against; in the place of; as a substitute or equivalent, noting equal value or satisfactory compensation, either in barter and sale, in contract, or in punishment. 'And Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for flocks, and for the cattle of the herds;' that is, according to the original, he gave them bread against horses like the Gr. Gen. 48:17.

Buy us and our land for bread. Gen. 47:19.

And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Ex. 21.

In the place of; instead of; noting substitution of persons, or agency of one in the place of another with equivalent authority. An attorney is empowered to act for his principal. Will you take a letter and deliver it for me at the post office? that is, in my place, or for my benefit.

In exchange of; noting one thing taken or given in place of another; as, to quit the profession of law for that of a clergyman.

In the place of; instead of; as, to translate a poem line for line.

In the character of; noting resemblance; a sense derived from substitution or standing in the place of, like in the Greek.

If a man can be fully assured of any thing for a truth, without having examined, what is there that he may not embrace for truth?

But let her go for an ungrateful woman.

I hear for certain, and do speak the truth.

He quivered with his feet and lay for dead.

Towards; with the intention of going to.

We sailed directly for Genoa, and had a fair wind.

So we say, a ship is bound for or to France.

In advantage of; for the sake of; on account of; that is, towards, noting use, benefit or purpose.

An ant is a wise creature for itself. Shall I think the world was made for one, and men are born for kings, as beasts for men, not for protection, but to be devoured.

Conducive to; beneficial to; in favor of.

It is for the general good of human society, and consequently of particular persons, to be true and just; and it is for men's health to be temperate.

Leading or inducing to, as a motive.

There is a natural immutable, and eternal reason for that which we call virtue, and against that which we call vice.

10.

Noting arrival, meeting, coming or possession. Wait patiently for an expected good. So in the phrases, looking for, staying for.

11.

Towards the obtaining of; in order to the arrival at or possession of. After all our exertions, we depend on divine aid for success.

12.

Against; in opposition to; with a tendency to resist and destroy; as a remedy for the headache or toothache. Alkalies are good for the heartburn. So we say, to provide clothes or stores for winter, or against winter.

13.

Against or on account of; in prevention of.

She wrapped him close for catching cold.

And, for the time shall not seem tedious -

This use is nearly obsolete. The sense however is derived from meeting, opposing, as in number 12.

14.

Because; on account of; by reason of. He cried out for anguish. I cannot go for want of time. For this cause, I cannot believe the report.

That which we for our unworthiness are afraid to crave, our prayer is, that God for the worthiness of his son would notwithstanding vouchsafe to grant.

Edward and Richard, with fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath, are at our backs.

How to choose dogs for scent or speed.

For as much as it is a fundamental law -

15.

With respect or regard to; on the part of.

It was young counsel for the persons, and violent counsel for the matters.

Thus much for the beginning and progress of the deluge.

So we say, for me, for myself, or as for me, I have no anxiety, but for you I have apprehensions; all implying towards or on the side of.

16.

Through a certain space; during a certain time; as, to travel for three days; to sail for seven weeks; he holds his office for life; he traveled on sand for ten miles together. These senses seem to imply passing, the proper sense of for.

17.

In quest of; in order to obtain; as, to search for arguments; to recur to antiquity for examples. See number 11.

18.

According to; as far as.

Chimists have not been able, for aught is vulgarly known, by fire alone to separate true sulphur from antimony.

19.

Noting meeting, coming together, or reception. I am ready for you; that is, I am ready to meet or receive you.

20.

Towards; of tendency to; as an inclination for drink.

21.

In favor of; on the part or side of; that is, towards or inclined to. One is for a free government; another is for a limited monarchy.

Aristotle is for poetical justice.

22.

With a view to obtain; in order to possess. He writes for money, or for fame; that is, towards meeting, or to have in return, as a reward.

23.

Towards; with tendency to, or in favor of. It is for his honor to retire from office. It is for our quiet to have few intimate connections.

24.

Notwithstanding; against; in opposition to. The fact may be so, for any thing that has yet appeared. The task is great, but for all that, I shall not be deterred from undertaking it. This is a different application of the sense of numbers 1,2,3,4.

The writer will do what she pleases for all me.

25.

For the use of; to be used in; that is, towards, noting advantage.

The oak for nothing ill, the osier good for twigs, the poplar for the mill.

26.

In recompense of; in return of.

Now, for so many glorious actions done, for peace at home, and for the public wealth, I mean to crown a bowl for Caesar's health. [See Number 1.]

27.

In proportion to; or rather, looking towards, regarding. He is tall for one of his years, or tall for his age.

28.

By means of.

Moral consideration can no way move the sensible appetite, were it not for the will.

29.

By the want of.

The inhabitants suffered severely both for provisions and fuel.

30.

For my life or heart, though my life were to be given in exchange, or as the price of purchase. I cannot, for my life, understand the man. Number 1.

31.

For to, denoting purpose. For was anciently placed before the infinitives of verbs, and the use is correct, but now obsolete except in vulgar language. I came for to see you; pour vous voir.

FOR

con.

The word by which a reason is introduced of something before advanced. 'That ye may be the children of your father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good.' In such sentences, for has the sense of because, by reason that, as in Number 14; with this difference that in Number 14, the word precedes a single noun, and here it precedes a sentence or clause; but the phrase seems to be elliptical, for this cause or reason, which follows, he maketh his sun to rise, &c. In Romans 13:6, we find the word in both its applications, 'For, for this cause ye pay tribute also -;' the first for referring to the sentence following; the latter to the noun cause.

Because; on this account that; properly, for that.

For as much, compounded, forasmuch, is equivalent to, in regard to that, in consideration of. Forasmuch as the thirst is intolerable, the patient may be indulged in a little drink.

Definition 2024

för

See also: for, FOR, fór, fôr, for-, för-, and Appendix:Variations of "for"

Dutch Low Saxon

Alternative forms

veur

Preposition

för

Elfdalian

Etymology

Cognate with Swedish för.

Preposition

för

German Low German

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /fœ͡ɐ/

Etymology 1

Cognate to German für.

Alternative forms

vor (Low Prussian)

Preposition

för

(in some dialects, including East Frisian) for

Usage notes

Authors who imitate or mimic German orthography spell this preposition för (like German für), but the following preposition (meaning "in front of") vör (like German vor).

Etymology 2

Cognate to German vor.

Alternative forms

vär, veer (ver) (Low Prussian)

Preposition

för

(in some dialects) in front of

Usage notes

Authors who imitate or mimic German orthography spell this preposition vör (like German vor), but the preceding preposition för (like German für).

Icelandic

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /fœːr/
Rhymes: -œːr

Etymology 1

Noun

för f ‎(genitive singular farar, nominative plural farir)

a journey, a trip, a voyage
- Revelation 6-11 (English and Icelandic)
  Og ég sá, og sjá: Bleikur hestur, og sá er á honum sat, hann hét Dauði, og Hel var í för með honum. Þeim var gefið vald yfir fjórða hluta jarðarinnar, til þess að deyða með sverði, með hungri og drepsótt og láta menn farast fyrir villidýrum jarðarinnar.
  I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

Declension

declension of för

	indefinite	definite	indefinite	definite
f-s2	singular		plural
nominative	för	förin	farir	farirnar
accusative	för	förina	farir	farirnar
dative	för	förinni	förum	förunum
genitive	farar	fararinnar	fara	faranna

Derived terms

förla
förunautur
hafa í för með sér (to effect, to cause, to result in)
illa til fara

jarðarför
slást í för með (to join somebody, to tag along)
vel til fara (well-dressed)
vera á förum (to be about to leave)

Synonyms

(trip): ferð, túr

Etymology 2

Noun

för

indefinite nominative plural of far
indefinite accusative plural of far

Swedish

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /føːr/

Adverb

too; To an excessive degree

Conjunction

för

because

Synonyms

Noun

för c

bow; the front part of a boat or a ship

Declension

Inflection of för
	Singular		Plural
	Indefinite	Definite	Indefinite	Definite
Nominative	för	fören	förar	förarna
Genitive	förs	förens	förars	förarnas

Related terms

förut

Preposition

för

for, for the sake of something or somebody
Used before the object of verbs indicating movement in conjunction with upp and ner

Hon klättrade upp för en stege

She climbed up a ladder

Verb

för

imperative of föra.
present tense of föra.

Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

For

For

For

For

Webster 1828 Edition

For

FOR

FOR

Definition 2024

för

för

Dutch Low Saxon

Alternative forms

Preposition

Elfdalian

Etymology

Preposition

German Low German

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Alternative forms

Preposition

Usage notes

Etymology 2

Alternative forms

Preposition

Usage notes

Icelandic

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

Noun

Declension

Derived terms

Synonyms

Etymology 2

Noun

Swedish

Pronunciation

Adverb

Conjunction

Synonyms

See also

Noun

Declension

Related terms

Preposition

Verb

Etymology

Pronunciation

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