a. Obs. Forms: 1 fús, 2–3 fus, (3 fuus, fuss), 3–5 fous, (south. vous(e). [OE. fús = OS. fús, OHG. funs, ON. fúss:—OTeut. *funso-:—pre-Teut. *pṇt-to-, f. root *pent-, pont-, pṇt- to go, set out; cf. FIND, FAND, FOUND vbs.] Eager, ready. Const. with of, to, and inf.
Beowulf (Z.), 1805. Wæron æðlingas eft to leodum fuse to farenne.
c. 1200. Ormin, 16997. He wass fus to lernenn.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 21879 (Cott.).
| He sends us þis all in warning, | |
| For to be warr of his cuming. | |
| Of vr saul to be ai fus, | |
| Again þe com þat es sa crus | |
| Ibid., 23749. | |
| Þe flexs es ai to filthes fus, | |
| þe werld nithful and couatus. |
1460. Lybeaus Disc., 285.
| Well prowde and precyous, | |
| Of whch lengell and trappes | |
| To dele ech man rappes | |
| Ever he was fous. |
Hence Fouse v., intr. and trans., to hasten.
Substituted in the later text of Layamon, ll. 19546 and 29780 for FUSE (ū).
