for

prep. [ AS. for, fore; akin to OS. for, fora, furi, D. voor, OHG. fora, G. vor, OHG. furi, G. für, Icel. fyrir, Sw. för, Dan. for, adv. för, Goth. faúr, faúra, L. pro, Gr. &unr_;, Skr. pra-. √ 202. Cf. Fore, First, Foremost, Forth, Pro-. ] In the most general sense, indicating that in consideration of, in view of, or with reference to, which anything is done or takes place. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

How to choose dogs for scent or speed. Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The oak for nothing ill,
The osier good for twigs, the poplar for the mill. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was young counsel for the persons, and violent counsel for the matters. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

For he writes not for money, nor for praise. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 2 Cor. xiii. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Aristotle is for poetical justice. Dennis. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Indicating that toward which the action of anything is directed, or the point toward which motion is made; &unr_;ntending to go to. [ 1913 Webster ]

We sailed from Peru for China and Japan. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Indicating that in the character of or as being which anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being. [ 1913 Webster ]

We take a falling meteor for a star. Cowley. [ 1913 Webster ]

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&unr_;? Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Most of our ingenious young men take up some cried-up English poet for their model. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

But let her go for an ungrateful woman. Philips. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The writer will do what she please for all me. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

God's desertion shall, for aught he knows, the next minute supervene. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

For anything that legally appears to the contrary, it may be a contrivance to fright us. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. Indicating the space or time through which an action or state extends; hence, during; in or through the space or time of. [ 1913 Webster ]

For many miles about
There 's scarce a bush. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Since, hired for life, thy servile muse sing. prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

To guide the sun's bright chariot for a day. Garth. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We 'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

For, or
As for, so far as concerns; as regards; with reference to; -- used parenthetically or independently. See under As. [ 1913 Webster ] As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Josh. xxiv. 15. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. forð&ymacr_;. ], 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. [ 1913 Webster ]