adv. [The phrase for as much; now written as one word.] Only in the conjunctional phrase Forasmuch as: a. In consideration that, seeing that, inasmuch as. Now somewhat formal or arch. In early use occasionally with ellipsis of the second as; rarely with substitution of that. † b. Occasionally used in the etymologically prior sense: So far as, with regard to so much as.
a. 1297. R. Glouc. (1724), 454. Vor as muche as we mowe fle in none manere.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), Pref. 2. For als mykill as it es lang tyme passed sen þare was any general passage ouer þe see in to þe haly land.
1411. Rolls of Parlt., III. 650/2. For as myche I am a Justice, that more than an other comun man scholde have had me more discretly and peesfully.
1450–1530. Myrr. our Ladye, 2. But forasmoche as many of you, though ye can synge and rede, yet ye can not se what the meanynge therof ys: therefore to the onely worshyp and praysyng of oure lorde Iesu chryste and of hys moste mercyfull mother our lady.
1606. G. W[oodcocke], trans. Hist. Ivstine, 119 b. Forasmuch that this prouision made greatly for his furtherance, and being now from al infirmities strengthned that he would not seeme also to be chargeable to the citties, he released them al their debts.
1651. trans. De las Coveras’ Hist. Don Fenise, 89. Forasmuch an honest wife ought to have no other will but that of her husband.
1732. Lediard, Sethos, II. VII. 17. Forasmuch as of all the countries included under the torrid zone … those … are the most expos’d.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), IV. 489. Though the lease was to be made on the same covenants, yet that should not take in a covenant for the renewing the new lease; forasmuch as then the lease would never be at an end.
1879. Butcher & Lang, Odyssey, 227. My friend, forasmuch as thou utterly beliest me, and sayest that henceforth he will not come again, and thine heart is ever slow to believe, therefore will I tell thee not lightly but with an oath, that Odysseus shall return.
b. 1639. Ld. G. Digby, Lett. conc. Relig. (1651), 37. For as much as belongs to that eating, we are neither defrauded of any good by the not eating, nor enricht with any good by the eating of the sanctified bread, which for as much as it hath of materials, goes into the belly, and the privie, but becomes usefull and effectuall according to the proportion of faith, making the soul perspicacious and considerate of what is profitable.
1654. Earl Orrery, Parthen. (1676), 557. Had not an unfortunate Dart given him so dangerous a wound, that his Soldiers converted their care of victory into one for him; and the former he himself had so far advanced, that the latter, forasmuch as concerned his bringing off, was not difficult.
