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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

For(e)fader, -father, n. Also: forefadir, foirfather. [ME. forfader (a 1300), e.m.E. forefather (1526).] A forefather, ancestor.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxiv. 13.
Betwix oure fore-fadir & his mak Matrimone cane he mak c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2380.
Acastrus that forfader wes To Pirrus c1475 Wall. ix. 664.
That full sair our forfadris has fwn c1515 Asl. MS. I. 187/13.
Portingale quhilk has name of Gathele our forfader 1513 Doug. i. ix. 113.
The valȝeant dedis of forfaderis past by 1533 Boece ii. viii. 73.
Amang oure forefaderis na cunȝete money ȝit was in vse(b) 1534 Bamff Chart. 65.
Quhilkis … wes schewn to thame be thair foirfathers and forbeirs c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1675.
In tyme of our fore father, Noye 1562-3 Winȝet I. 9/5.
Sen ȝe and ȝour last forefatheris … chesit ȝour selfis sa blynd gydis 1587 Edinb. Test. XVIII. 135.
The … place quhair my foirfather … was bureit in c1650 Spalding II. 33.
His corps … wes … bureit amongis his foir fatheris