Obs. Forms: 1 forðian (also ȝeforðian: see AFFORD), 2–4 forthen, 3 Orm. forthenn, 5 forthe. [OE. forðian, f. FORTH adv.; formally, it corresponds to L. portāre to carry.]
1. trans. To accomplish, carry out; also, to manage to (do something). See AFFORD 1, 2, and 3.
O. E. Chron., an. 675 (Laud MS.). Hwilc man swa haueð behaten to faren to Rome, and he ne muȝe hit forðian.
c. 1200. Ormin, 211.
| & fra þiss daȝȝ þu shallt ben dumb | |
| Till þatt itt shall ben forþedd. |
a. 1225. Juliana, 67. Forðe al þi feader wil þes feondes of helle.
1340–70. Alex. & Dind., 570. Of more make ȝe avaunt · þan ȝe mow forþen.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 1774.
| For mestire & miserie · vnneth may þou forthe | |
| Þine awen caitefe cors · to clethe & to fede. |
c. 1460. Towneley Myst. (Surtees), 45. Alle that I say I shalle forthe.
2. To put forward, offer.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 43. Vnderstonde we on ure heorte his holie wordes, and forþe [proferamus] we him ure rihte bileue.
