Farthing, "I may not change a man a farthing" (M[18],b), in the least or smallest degree. A farthing, the fourth part of a penny, and the smallest copper coin current in Great Britain, is mentioned as far back as Robert of Gloucester. It seems to have become a simile of small value or amount in most early writers. "In hire suppe was no ferthing sene Of grese, whan she dronken hadde hire drauht."—Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), Prologue, 134.
Fashion, see I-fashion.
Feather, "feather my nest" (R[183],b); this proverbial saying does not occur in Heywood.
Fell, "the world, the flesh, and the fell" (M[39],c), the devil (Furnivall & Pollard).
Fellowship, "flee that fellowship" (M[32],b), company, body of associates, confederacy, joint interest. "Parry felle in felaschepe with Willyum Hasard at Querles."—Paston Letters, i. 83. "Antenor fleenge with his felowschippe."—Trevisa, i. 273.
Feoffed, "feoffed thee with all" (N[46],a), endowed. "May God forbid to feffe you so with grace."—Chaucer, Court of Love.
Fere, "create to be his fere" (N[49],b), companion, partner, fellow. "He wod into the water, his feren him bysyde."—Political Songs, p. 217.
Festination, "with all festination" (R[204],c), speed, hurry, expedition. "Sweet Frank, when shall my father Security present me?" "With all festination."—Jonson and Chapman, Eastward Hoe (1605), ii. 1.
Fetches, "beware the fetches of Tediousness" (WS[143],a), stratagems, tricks, contrivances, artifices: the word does not always carry a bad or unworthy meaning.
Fichant, "Ise cannot be fichant enough" (R[267],c), sufficient; i.e. better received and esteemed. Mr. Magnus suggests Je m'en fiche, as origin.