For- (&unr_;). [AS. for-; akin to D. & G. ver-, OHG. fir-, Icel. for-, Goth. fra-, cf. Skr. parā- away, Gr. &unr_; beside, and E. far, adj. Cf. Fret to rub.] A prefix to verbs, having usually the force of a negative or privative. It often implies also loss, detriment, or destruction, and sometimes it is intensive, meaning utterly, quite thoroughly, as in forbathe.
[1913 Webster]