conj. Obs. Also 1 forðí, 2–5 forthi, 3 south. forðui, 3–4 forthe. [OE. forðí, forðý, f. FOR prep. + ðý, instr. of THE. Cf. FORTHON.] For this reason, therefore.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., John vii. 22. Forðy Moyses eow sealde ymbsnydenysse næs na forþi þe heo of moyse sy ac of fæderon.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 21. Forðon a þis worlð winð onȝein us and we on-ȝein heo mid muchele earueðnesse for-þi we suneȝiet on-ȝein drihtenes welle ofter þene we scolde.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 9. For-þi, seli meiden, forȝet ti folc.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 69.
| An ek forthe the sulue mose | |
| Hire thonkes wolde the totose. |
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., A. 234. My joy for-þy watȝ much þe more.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. Prol. 187. For-þi I conseille alle þe comune · to lat þe catte worthe.
c. 1450. Henryson, Mor. Fab., 45.
| With sweete odours and birdes harmony, | |
| The morning myld, my mirth was maire forthy. |
1501. Douglas, Pal. Hon., I. xxii.
| Forthy I knew the signe | |
| Was Acteon |
1590. Lodge, Euphues Gold. Leg., in Halliw., Shaks., VI. 22.
| Forthy, Montanus, follow mine arreede, | |
| Whom age hath taught the traines that fancy useth, | |
| Leave foolish love, for beautie wit abuseth, | |
| And drownes, by folly, vertues springing seede. |
1647. H. More, Song of Soul, II. i. II. xxviii.
| Forthy let first an inward centre hid | |
| Be put. |
b. Not for-thy: nevertheless. What for-thy: what of that?
1375. Barbour, Bruce, V. 319.
| Vndir the mantill nocht-for-thi, | |
| He suld be Armyt preualy. |
1413. Pigr. Sowle (Caxton), I. XV. (1859), 13.
| And nought for thy, this I byhote expresse, | |
| Vnto theym I wyl compleyne, and crye, | |
| And make my cause knowen openly. |
c. 1430. Syr Tryam., 736.
| The fyrste that rode noght for thy, | |
| Was the kyng of Lumbardy, | |
| A man of grete renowne. |
c. 1450. Cov. Myst. (1841), 120.
| Nevyr-the-les what for-thy, | |
| Thow she be meke and mylde, | |
| Withowith mannys company | |
| She myght not be with childe. |
Hence Forthy that, earlier forthy the, because.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., John vii. 22. Forðy Moyses eow sealde ymbsnydenysse næs na forþi þe heo of moyse sy ac of fæderon.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 41. On þon deie þa engles of heofene ham iblissieð: forði þe þa erming saulen habbeð rest of heore pine.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 56. Al þæt vuel of Dina þæt ich spec of er, ne com nout forðui þæt te wummen lokede cangliche o weopmen.
c. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 2698.
| And forthy þat sum has na knawyng | |
| Of purgatory ne undirstandying, | |
| Þarfor [etc.] … |
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), vi. 18. Þare also gert kyng Nabugodonosor putte þe three childer in þe fyre, forþi þat þai held þe ri৭t beleue.
