for
conjunction/fə(r)/, strong form /fɔː(r)/
/fər/, strong form /fɔːr/
(old-fashioned or literary)- used to introduce the reason for something mentioned in the previous statement
- We listened eagerly, for he brought news of our families.
- I believed her—for surely she would not lie to me.
Word OriginOld English, probably a reduction of a Germanic preposition meaning ‘before’ (in place or time); related to German für, also to fore.Want to learn more?
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