FOR, prep. [L. per.; The English, for; to forbid. For corresponds in sense with the L. pro, as fore does with proe, but pro and proe are probably contracted from prod, proed. The Latin por, in composition, as in porrigo, is probably contracted from porro, Gr. which is the English far. The Gr. are from the same root. The radical sense of for is to go, to pass, to advance, to reach or stretch.]

as a prefix to verbs, has usually the force of a negative or privative, denoting against, that is, before, or away, aside.

1. The word by which a reason is introduced of something before advanced. "That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good." In such sentences, for has the sense of because, by reason that, as in No. 4; with this difference, that in No. 14, the word precedes a single noun, and here it precedes a sentence or clause; but the phrase seems to be elliptical, for this cause or reason, which follows, he maketh his sun to rise, &c. In Romans, xiii. 6, we find the word in both its applications, " For, for this cause ye pay tribute also;" the first for referring to the sentence following; the latter to the noun cause.
2. Because; on this account that; properly, for that. For as much, compounded, forasmuch, is equivalent to, in regard to that, in consideration of. Forasmuch as the thirst is intolerable, the patient may be indulged in a little drink. For why, Fr. pour quoi, [per quod, pro quo,] because; for this reason.

1. Against; in the place of; as a substitute or equivalent, noting equal value or satisfactory compensation, either in barter and sale, in contract, or in punishment. “And Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for flocks, and for the cattle of the herds;” that is, according to the original, he gave them bread against horses, like the Gr. αντι. and Fr. contre. Gen. xlvii. 17. Buy us and our land for bread. Gen. xlvii, 19. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth far tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Exod. xxi. As the son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matth. xx. See also Mark viii, 37. Matth. xvi, 26.
2. In the place of; instead of; noting substitution of persons, or agency of one in the place of another with equivalent authority. An attorney is empowered to act for his principal. Will you take a letter and deliver it for me at the post-office? that is, in my place, or for my benefit.
3. In exchange of; noting one thing taken or given in place of another; as, to quit the profession of law for that of a clergyman.
4. In the place of; instead of; as, to translate a poem line for line.
5. In the character of; noting resemblance; a sense derived from a substitution or standing in the place of, like αντι-θεος in Greek. If a man can be fully assured of any thing for a truth, without having examined, what is there that he may not embrace for truth? Locke. But let her go for an ungrateful woman. Philips. I hear for certain, and do speak the truth. Shak. He quivered with his feet, and lay for dead. Dryden.
6. Toward; with the intention of going to. We sailed from Peru for China and Japan. Bacon. We sailed directly for Genoa, and had a fair wind. Addison. So we say, a ship is bound for or to France.
7. In advantage of; for the sake of; on account of; that is, toward, noting use, benefit or purpose. An ant is a wise creature for itself. Bacon. Shall I think the world was made for one / And men are born for kings, as beasts for men / Not for protection, but to be devoured. Dryden.
8. Conducive to; beneficial to; in favor of. It 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.
9. Leading or inducing to, as a motive. There is a natural, immutable, and eternal reason for that which we call virtue, and against that which we call vice. Tillotson.
10. Noting arrival, meeting, coming or possession. Wait patiently for an expected good. So in the phrases, looking or, staying for.
11. Toward the obtaining of; in order to the arrival at or possession of. After all our exertions, we depend on divine aid for success.
12. Against; in opposition to; with a tendency to resist and destroy; as, a remedy for the head-ache or tooth-ache. Alkalies are good for the heart-burn. So we say, to provide clothes or stores for winter, or against winter.
13. Against or on account of; in prevention of. She wrapped him close for catching cold. Richardson. And, for the time shall not seem tedious. Shak. This use is nearly obsolete. The sense however is derived from meeting, opposing, as in No. 12.
14. Because; on account of; by reason of. He cried out for anguish. I can not go for want of time. For this cause, I can not believe the report. That 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. Edward and Richard / With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath / Are at our backs. Shak. How to choose dogs for scent or speed. Waller. For as much as it is a fundamental law. Bacon.
15. With respect or regard to; on the part of. It was young counsel for the persons, and violent counsel for the matters. Bacon. Thus much for the beginning and progress of the deluge. Burnet. So we say, for me, for myself, or as for me, I have no anxiety, but for you I have apprehensions; all implying toward or on the side of.
16. Through a certain space; during a certain time; as, to travel for three days; to sail for seven weeks; he holds his office for life; he traveled on sand for ten miles together. These senses seem to imply passing, the proper sense of for.
17. In quest of; in order to obtain; as, to search for arguments; to recur to antiquity for examples. See No. 11.
18. According to; as far as. Chimists have not been able, for aught is vulgarly known, by fire alone to separate true sulphur from autimony. Boyle.
19. Noting meeting, coming together, or reception. I am ready for you; that is, I am ready to meet or receive you.
20. Toward; of tendency to; as, an inclination for drink.
21. In favor of; on the part or side of; that is, toward or inclined to. One is for a free government; another is for a limited monarchy. Aristotle is for poetical justice. Dennis.
22. With a view to obtain; in order to possess. He writes for money, or for fame; that is, toward meeting, or to have in return, as a reward.
23. Toward; with tendency to, or in favor of. It is for his honor to retire from office. It is for our quiet to have few intimate connections.
24. Notwithstanding; against; in opposition to. The fact may be so, for any thing that has yet appeared. The task is great, but for all that, I shall not be deterred from undertaking it. This is a different application of the sense of No. 1, 2, 3, 4. [Hoc non obstante.] The writer will do what she pleases for all me. Spect. No. 79.
25. For the use of; to be used in; that is, toward, noting advantage. The oak for nothing ill / The osier good for twigs, the poplar for the mill. Spenser.
26. In recompense of; in return of. Now, for so many glorious actions done / For peace at home, and for the public wealth / I mean to crown a bowl for Cesar's health. Dryden. [See No. 1.]
27. In proportion to; or rather, looking toward, regarding. He is tall for one of his years, or tall for his age.
28. By means of. Moral consideration can no way move the sensible appetite, were it not for the will. Hale.
29. By the want of. The inhabitants suffered severely both for provisions and fuel. Marshall.
30. For my life or heart, through my life were to be given in exchange, or as the price of purchase. I can not, for my life, understand the man. [No. 1.]
31. For to, denoting purpose. For was anciently placed before the infinitives of verbs, and the use is correct, but now obsolete except in vulgar language. I came for to see you; pour vous voir.

1. A prefix to verbs, having usually the force of a negative or privative. It often implies also loss, detriment, or destruction, and sometimes it is intensive, meaning utterly, quite thoroughly, as in forbathe.
2. 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.
   
   

   With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath. Shak.

   How to choose dogs for scent or speed. Waller.

   Now, 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.

   That 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.

3. Because; by reason that; for that; indicating, in Old English, the reason of anything.
   
   

   And for of long that way had walkéd none,
   The vault was hid with plants and bushes hoar. Fairfax.

   And Heaven defend your good souls, that you think
   I will your serious and great business scant,
   For she with me. Shak.

4. One who takes, or that which is said on, the affrimative side; that which is said in favor of some one or something; -- the antithesis of against, and commonly used in connection with it.
   
   

   The fors and against. those in favor and those opposed; the pros and the cons; the advantages and the disadvantages. Jane Austen.

5. 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.
   
   

   The oak for nothing ill,
   The osier good for twigs, the poplar for the mill. Spenser.

   It was young counsel for the persons, and violent counsel for the matters. Bacon.

   Shall 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.

   For he writes not for money, nor for praise. Denham.

6. Since; because; introducing a reason of something before advanced, a cause, motive, explanation, justification, or the like, of an action related or a statement made. It is logically nearly equivalent to since, or because, but connects less closely, and is sometimes used as a very general introduction to something suggested by what has gone before.
   
   

   Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. Ps. cxxxvi. 1.

   Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
   Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
   Did not go forth of us, 't were all alike
   As if we had them not. Shak.

   For because, because. [Obs.] "Nor for because they set less store by their own citizens." Robynson (More's Utopia). -- For why. (a) Why; for that reason; wherefore. [Obs.] (b) Because. [Obs.] See Forwhy.

   Syn. -- See Because.

7. 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.
   
   

   We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 2 Cor. xiii. 8.

   It 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.

   Aristotle is for poetical justice. Dennis.

8. Indicating that toward which the action of anything is directed, or the point toward which motion is made; (?)ntending to go to.
   
   

   We sailed from Peru for China and Japan. Bacon.

9. 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.
   
   

   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.

10. Indicating that in the character of or as being which anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being.
    
    

    We take a falling meteor for a star. Cowley.

    If 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.

    Most of our ingenious young men take up some cried- up English poet for their model. Dryden.

    But let her go for an ungrateful woman. Philips.

11. 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.
    
    

    The writer will do what she please for all me. Spectator.

    God's desertion shall, for aught he knows, the next minute supervene. Dr. H. More.

    For anything that legally appears to the contrary, it may be a contrivance to fright us. Swift.

12. Indicating the space or time through which an action or state extends; hence, during; in or through the space or time of.
    
    

    For many miles about
    There 's scarce a bush. Shak.

    Since, hired for life, thy servile muse sing. prior.

    To guide the sun's bright chariot for a day. Garth.

13. Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done.
    
    
    [Obs.]

    We 'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet. Beau. *** Fl.

    For, or As for, so far as concerns] as regards; with reference to; -- used parenthetically or independently. See under As.

    As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Josh. xxiv. 15.

    For 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. for(?)(?).], 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.