Sc. Obs. Also 6 farde, 7 ferd. [Prob. identical with ME. FERD:—OE. fyrd, fięrd, etymologically a verbal abstract f. faran FARE v. to go, though recorded only in the sense expedition, army.] Motion, rush, impetus. Hence, Impetuosity, ardour; a violent onset.

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1513.  Douglas, Æneis, VI. xi. 12.

        And sone as he persavis quhair that went
Forganest hym, comand throw gresy sward
His derrast son Enee with hasty fard.

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1536.  Bellenden, Cron. Scot., X. viii. Ee ij a/1. King Feredech … ruschit with sic farde amang his ennymes, that he was excludit fra his awin folkis.

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1563.  Winȝet, Four Scoir Thre Quest., § 33, margin. note. At this place … Iohne Knox maid a fel farde.

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1639.  R. Baillie, Let., 28 Sept., Lett. & Jrnls. (1775), I. 170. Well understanding that the ferd of our hot spirits could not long abide in edge.

5

1681.  Colvil, Whigs Supplic., I. 85.

        None gained by those bloody Fairds,
But two three Beggers, who turn’d Lairds.

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1714.  Ramsay, Elegy J. Cowper, 45.

        E’en tho’ there was a drunken laird
To draw his sword, and make a faird
            In their defence.

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