Obs. Forms: 4–5 feerd, ferd(e. [subst. use of ferd, FEARED ppl. a.] Fear, terror. Chiefly in phrase for ferd. Const. with inf. or with subord. clause introduced by lest or that.

1

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 3651 (Fair.).

          For ferde atte he mistraw
Þou salle say þou art esau.

2

13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., C. 215. Þenne such a ferde on hem fel.

3

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 88. Malcolme, whan be it herd, fled for ferd.

4

c. 1384.  Chaucer, H. Fame, II. 442. He for ferde lost hys wyt.

5

c. 1420.  Pallad. on Husb., IV. 160.

                        For ferde of Sonne
On hem let inne, anoon away beth ronne.

6

a. 1450.  Knt. de la Tour (1868), 36. Loke that ye haue euer a frende or sum cosin or seruaunt of youres by you, for ferde and perille and euelle speche.

7

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst. (Surtees), 40.

          Isaac.  The shynyng of youre bright blayde
It gars me quake for ferd to dee.

8