Obs. Forms: 4 torfere, (-phere), -fir, 4–5 -fer, -fare, 5 torfor, tourfer, torfoyr, Sc. torfeir. [Northern ME., a. ON. tor-fœra fem., or torfœri neut. (mod.Norw. torføre), a difficult or dangerous passage, f. torfœrr adj. hard or difficult to pass, f. tor- TOR a. + fōr, pret. stem of fara to go.] Hardship, trouble, distress; harm, mischief, injury.
13[?]. Cursor M., 6498 (Cott.). Þat he sal hald vs hale and fere, And warn vs fra ilkin tor-fere [Fairf. alkin torfere]. Ibid., 20002. Ful mani torfer [Trin. mony turment] sufferd þai.
c. 1325. Metr. Hom. (1862), 158. For than pin we our bodye, With torfir and with martyrye.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 1956. That schalle turne the to tene and forfere for ever.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 3729. Quat tene & torfare may tide & tent to þine ende.
c. 1440. York Myst., xl. 174. Suche torfoyr and torment of-telle herde I neuere.
c. 1470. Golagros & Gaw., 876. Ye sall nane torfeir betyde, I tak vpone hand.
