v. Obs. [f. FOR- pref.1 + FRET v.] trans. To devour, gnaw; to eat up or into, corrode.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 138. Also wiðuten wisdom, fleshs, ase wurm, uoruret hire, & wasteð hire suluen.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 185.
| Þat þe gret evel ne comeþ naȝt per · þat me clupeþ þat holi fur | |
| þat vorfreteþ menne limes. |
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 2375.
| Þe werwolf … ran forþ for al þat route · wiþ so rude a noyse, | |
| as he wold þat barn · bliue haue for-frete. |
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVI. 28.
| Coueityse cometh of þat wynde · and crepeth amonge þe leues, | |
| And forfret neigh þe frute þorw many faire siȝtes. |
Hence † Forfretten ppl. a.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., III. 331.
| The long endurid, old, forfreton vine | |
| Is not to helpe. |
