v. Obs. For forms see BUY. [f. FOR- pref.1 + BUY.] trans. To buy off. a. To ransom; esp. to redeem (from sin, hell, etc.). b. To atone for. c. To gain over; to bribe.
a. c. 1315. Shoreham, 164.
| For ase man was thorȝ trowe by-couȝt, | |
| In trowe he scholde be for-bouȝt. |
a. 1330. Otuel, 1709.
| Takeþ me on liue, & sle me nouȝt, | |
| Leet mi lif be for-bouȝt. |
c. 1450. Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.), I. 192.
| Christe … comen [is] mankinde to forbye | |
| From God in mayistie. |
b. 1340. Ayenb., 78. Hi couþen hire zennen uorbegge.
c. 1450. Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.), II. 79.
| My Lorde uppon the roode tree | |
| Your synnes hath for-boughte. |
c. a. 1300. Cursor M., 17464 (Cott.). Þai war for-boght þe soth to hele.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 212.
| But he which hindreth every kinde | |
| And for no gold may be forbought. |
Hence Forbuyer, a redeemer.
1382. Wyclif, Isa. liv. 8. The Lord, thi forbiere.
c. 1450. Chester Pl. (E.E.T.S.), 400.
| I am he they call Messy, | |
| forebyar of Israell. |
