fonden (A.S.) [238], to try, tempt, inquire. pret. s. fonded, fondede, [315], [344], [353]
fondynge (A.S.) [291], a temptation, undertaking
fongen, see fangen
foot (A.S.) a foot. foote, [354], on foot
for (A.S.) for, for that, because; for-thi, because, therefore
for-, in composition in verbs derived from the Anglo-Saxon, conveys the idea of privation or deterioration, and answers to the modern German ver-. It is preserved in a few words in our language, such as forbid, forbear, forlorn, &c. The following instances occur in Piers Ploughman:—
for-bete (A.S.) to beat down, beat to pieces, or to death, beat entirely. part. past, for-beten, [436]
for-bode (A.S.) denial, forbidding
for-biten (A.S.) [332], to bite to pieces
for-doon, for-do (A.S.) [78], [163], [371], to undo, ruin. pret. s. for-dide, [340], [390]. part. past, for-do, [262], for-doon, [371]