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.
Quotation dates: 1375-1590
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Further, Furthir, v. Also: furthyr(e, furthur. [ME. further, furðren, -rie, OE. fyrðrian. Cf. Furder v. Forther v.]
1. tr. To assist, aid, help (a person). 1375 Barb. iii. 588.
To furthyr thame off thair fleting 1375 Ib. iv. 627.
God furthir vs intill our fair a1400 Legends of the Saints xvi. 259.
To … furthir [them] sa That he mycht get … barnys 1405 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 200.
The saide Erl of Mar … sal furthir and suppouale the saide Schir Dauid … in al thir poyntis 1456 Hay II. 150/24.
For the body … helpis him, manetenis him and furtheris him to governe tharefter 1513 Doug. v. xiii. 108.
And furthir him eyk sal I Ontil Avern, clepit the louch of hell 1590 Edinburgh Testaments XXII. 231 b.
He ordainis his eldest dochter to be furtherit with the first and reddiest of his guidis, geir and dettis
2. To set forward, advance, promote (something). c1420 Wynt. i. 123.
To furthyre fayrly this purpos c1420 Ib. vii. 893.
He … argwyd hym … That he furtheryd oure slawly His cwnnaud c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace vi. 855.
For till enchew a chans To furthir this thai send for knycht Wallans 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 31.
Nane of thame wald cum to the parliament to further thair desyre a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS liii. 6.
The sarie lairdis … sendis thair wyffis behind the ȝardis To furthir erandis fra ewin fawabsol. 1456 Hay I. 170/24.
For thai hynder mare na further, for the unhap … of thair wikkit syn
3. To carry on, continue. c1420 Wynt. v. 3971.
This empryowre Furthyryd hys lyff in gret honoure c1420 Ib. vii. 2787.
Thare he furtheryd all hys waye All honorably
4. To forward, to send on. 1579 Waus Corr. I. 199.
I dout nocht bot your L. sall be of mair willing mynd to furthur the same hors to me with this berer
5. intr. To make progress, to succeed or flourish. c1550 Rolland Court of Venus ii. 378.
Wald thow further and prosper in thy wais … thow hence thé fra this ȝet 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 27.
The king seing that his ambassadours furtherit not at his plesure determinat to go be sey to France 1571 Satirical Poems xxviii. 72.
Ȝitfur therit I because thay found me meit
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"Further v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/further_v>
