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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Par-, Perforce, -fors, adv. (n.1) Also: -fors(s)e. [e.m.E. and ME. parforce (1494), -fors (c 1330), per(1525), OF. par force (12th c.). Cf. Par- pref. and Force n. 2 and 3, also Perforce n.2] Perforce, in various senses and applications.
1. Of necessity; also, in the natural course of events. 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 264.
That tyme I mycht mak no defence, Bot tuke, perforce, in pacience 1530 Id. Test. Pap. 73.
Quho clymmis to hycht, perforce his feit mon faill 1531 Bell. Boece I. xxxiii.
This watter, … is … born doun per force to the seis 1535 Stewart 37507.
Traist weill sic thing cumis no way perforce c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3984.
Perforsse Ib. 3426, 4733. a1568 Scott xix. 19. Ib. xx. 9.
On paciens I mon perfors Sen that I go frome weill to wors a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxiv. 7.
Perforce I man be dum c1590 J. Stewart 33/110.
In the seis perforce he gois coak a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xx. 12.
Come patience, perforce
2. By force; forcibly, violently. 1531 Bell. Boece I. 239.
Thay raif of his coit armoure par force Id. Livy II. 150/2.
Quhil the toun be won perforce that thai sege 1535 Stewart 30879. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1988. 1564–5 Reg. Privy C. I. 312.
Hector of Coill … hes … crewallie, maisterfullie, and perforce cumin within his landis 1569 Ib. 686. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 65. 1574 Reg. Privy C. II. 423.
Maister Andro Symsoun … perforce led away the teind schaves 1577 Ib. 654.
With ane greit boit [they] burdit and enterit perforce in the said Lyonis schip a1578 Pitsc. I. 316/8. 1579 Reg. Privy C. III. 238.
James, Erll of Mortoun … violentlie and perforce enterit in the said hous a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 9.
He … convoyit hir parforce (as apperit) to the Castell of Dumbar a1599 Rollock I. 430.
Wald thou have it [thy soul] rugged out perforce? 1610 Crim. Trials III. 92.
For ȝour … tressonabill breking vp perforce of his lettrone thair 1623 Peebles Gleanings 17.
Hectour Dikesone tuik upe thrie grit stanes, and perforce slang the same at the said James
b. quasi-noun. In the phr. in (thair) perforce, by (their) violence. 1573–4 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 5.
For … in perforce at thair awin handis taking of killyng furth of the boytis 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 154.
And in thair perforce capitane Johne Borthwik … wes slane
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"Perforce adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/perforce_adv>
