for by
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
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 C[ae]sar'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; ?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??— 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 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[eth][=y].], 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]