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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.

Fornent, Fore-, Foirnent, prep. [Cf. Fore adv., Anent prep. and Foranent.]

. In front of, over against, opposite.(a) 1429 Acts II. 19/1.
Al baronnis & lordis hafand landis … fornent the ylis 1467 Reg. Dunferm. 359.
Hafand nettis in the ald stell als lang as the Inglismen oys fornent thaim 1477 Edinb. Chart. 140.
The hatmakaris and skynnaris fornent thame on the south side of the samyn 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 177.
That all maner of persouns … clenge thair calsayes to myd channell fornent thair dwelling places c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 733.
The Inglis greit galȝeoun Fornent thame stude 1594 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 532.
For making of ane dure to the fauld fornent the poupet 1609 Stirling B. Rec. I. 122.
To cast thair seuches and dykes fornent thair awin landis 1624 Peebles B. Rec. 363.
To set vpe the trone … fornent the croce(b) 1535 Stewart 11522.
Foirnent the place quhair the Romanis la 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 307.
In the hie gaitt foirnent the Freiar wynd heid 1615 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 322.
The burne, foirnent the nuick of Coullis croft 1635 Stirling B. Rec. I. 174.
The sone dyell sett up … on the foirface of the clerkis hous foirnent the mercat croce(c) 1588 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 127.
Haldan owp the said burn quhile it cum forenent the … fauld 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Obtueor, to beholde forenent

b. Against: to meet or deal with. 1533 Bell. Livy I. 25/11.
The Ethruschis … had certane apparatouris … reddy fornent all aventuris that mycht occur

2. In regard of, concerning. Cf. Anent prep. 1463 Wemys Chart. 82.
I renowns euir tilbe herd in iugment fornent all clame of rycht of ters 1495 Liber Aberbr. 289.
The schireff … deliueris fornente the clame of possessione of the south syd of Balnamonismyr 1535 Reg. Episc. Brechin II. 186.
Fornent the actione … persewit be ane reuerend fader in God ?a1500 Steel Roy Robert in Watson's Coll. ii. p. iv.
We will do you understand What we declare fornent [Maitl. F. anent] Scotland