GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Found one definition
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For , prep. [AS. for, fore; akin to OS. for, fora, furi, D. voor, OHG. fora, G. vor, OHG. furi, G. für, Icel. fyrir, Sw. för, Dan. for, adv. för, Goth. faúr, faúra, L. pro, Gr. , Skr. pra-. √ 202. Cf. Fore, First, Foremost, Forth, Pro-.] In the most general sense, indicating that in consideration of, in view of, or with reference to, which anything is done or takes place.1913 Webster
- Indicating the antecedent cause or occasion of an action; the motive or inducement accompanying and prompting to an act or state; the reason of anything; that on account of which a thing is or is done.1913 Webster
With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath.
Shak.1913 WebsterHow to choose dogs for scent or speed.
Waller.1913 WebsterNow, for so many glorious actions done,
For peace at home, and for the public wealth,
I mean to crown a bowl for Cæsar's health.Dryden.1913 WebsterThat which we, for our unworthiness, are afraid to crave, our prayer is, that God, for the worthiness of his Son, would, notwithstanding, vouchsafe to grant.
Hooker.1913 Webster - Indicating the remoter and indirect object of an act; the end or final cause with reference to which anything is, acts, serves, or is done.1913 Webster
The oak for nothing ill,
The osier good for twigs, the poplar for the mill.Spenser.1913 WebsterIt was young counsel for the persons, and violent counsel for the matters.
Bacon.1913 WebsterShall I think the worls was made for one,
And men are born for kings, as beasts for men,
Not for protection, but to be devoured?Dryden.1913 WebsterFor he writes not for money, nor for praise.
Denham.1913 Webster - Indicating that in favor of which, or in promoting which, anything is, or is done; hence, in behalf of; in favor of; on the side of; -- opposed to against.1913 Webster
We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
2 Cor. xiii. 8.1913 WebsterIt is for the general good of human society, and consequently of particular persons, to be true and just; and it is for men's health to be temperate.
Tillotson.1913 WebsterAristotle is for poetical justice.
Dennis.1913 Webster - Indicating that toward which the action of anything is directed, or the point toward which motion is made; intending to go to.1913 Webster
We sailed from Peru for China and Japan.
Bacon.1913 Webster - Indicating that on place of or instead of which anything acts or serves, or that to which a substitute, an equivalent, a compensation, or the like, is offered or made; instead of, or place of.1913 Webster
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Ex. xxi. 23, 24.1913 Webster - Indicating that in the character of or as being which anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being.1913 Webster
We take a falling meteor for a star.
Cowley.1913 WebsterIf a man can be fully assured of anything for a truth, without having examined, what is there that he may not embrace for tru?
Locke.1913 WebsterMost of our ingenious young men take up some cried-up English poet for their model.
Dryden.1913 WebsterBut let her go for an ungrateful woman.
Philips.1913 Webster - Indicating that instead of which something else controls in the performing of an action, or that in spite of which anything is done, occurs, or is; hence, equivalent to notwithstanding, in spite of; -- generally followed by all, aught, anything, etc.1913 Webster
The writer will do what she please for all me.
Spectator.1913 WebsterGod's desertion shall, for aught he knows, the next minute supervene.
Dr. H. More.1913 WebsterFor anything that legally appears to the contrary, it may be a contrivance to fright us.
Swift.1913 Webster - Indicating the space or time through which an action or state extends; hence, during; in or through the space or time of.1913 Webster
For many miles about
There 's scarce a bush.Shak.1913 WebsterSince, hired for life, thy servile muse sing.
prior.1913 WebsterTo guide the sun's bright chariot for a day.
Garth.1913 Webster - Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done. [Obs.]1913 Webster
We 'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet.
Beau. & Fl.1913 WebsterFor, or As for, so far as concerns; as regards; with reference to; -- used parenthetically or independently. See under As.
1913 WebsterAs for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Josh. xxiv. 15.1913 WebsterFor me, my stormy voyage at an end,
I to the port of death securely tend.Dryden.-- For all that, notwithstanding; in spite of. -- For all the world, wholly; exactly. “Whose posy was, for all the world, like cutlers' poetry.” Shak. -- For as much as, or Forasmuch as, in consideration that; seeing that; since. -- For by. See Forby, adv. -- For ever, eternally; at all times. See Forever. -- For me, or For all me, as far as regards me. -- For my life, or For the life of me, if my life depended on it. [Colloq.] T. Hook. -- For that, For the reason that, because; since. [Obs.] “For that I love your daughter.” Shak. -- For thy, or Forthy [AS. forðȳ.], for this; on this account. [Obs.] “Thomalin, have no care for thy.” Spenser. -- For to, as sign of infinitive, in order to; to the end of. [Obs., except as sometimes heard in illiterate speech.] -- “What went ye out for to see?” Luke vii. 25. See To, prep., 4. -- O for, would that I had; may there be granted; -- elliptically expressing desire or prayer. “O for a muse of fire.” Shak. -- Were it not for, or If it were not for, leaving out of account; but for the presence or action of. “Moral consideration can no way move the sensible appetite, were it not for the will.” Sir M. Hale.
1913 Webster
- Indicating the antecedent cause or occasion of an action; the motive or inducement accompanying and prompting to an act or state; the reason of anything; that on account of which a thing is or is done.