Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

For \For\, prep. [AS. for, fore; akin to OS. for, fora, furi, D.
   voor, OHG. fora, G. vor, OHG. furi, G. f["u]r, Icel. fyrir,
   Sw. f["o]r, Dan. for, adv. f["o]r, Goth. fa['u]r, fa['u]ra,
   L. pro, Gr. ?, Skr. pra-. [root] 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.

   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.

            With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath. --Shak.

            How to choose dogs for scent or speed. --Waller.

            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.

            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.

   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.

            The oak for nothing ill, The osier good for twigs,
            the poplar for the mill.              --Spenser.

            It was young counsel for the persons, and violent
            counsel for the matters.              --Bacon.

            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.

            For he writes not for money, nor for praise.
                                                  --Denham.

   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.

            We can do nothing against the truth, but for the
            truth.                                --2 Cor. xiii.
                                                  8.

            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.

            Aristotle is for poetical justice.    --Dennis.

   4. Indicating that toward which the action of anything is
      directed, or the point toward which motion is made;
      ?ntending to go to.

            We sailed from Peru for China and Japan. --Bacon.

   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.

            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.

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

            We take a falling meteor for a star.  --Cowley.

            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.

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

            But let her go for an ungrateful woman. --Philips.

   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.

            The writer will do what she please for all me.
                                                  --Spectator.

            God's desertion shall, for aught he knows, the next
            minute supervene.                     --Dr. H. More.

            For anything that legally appears to the contrary,
            it may be a contrivance to fright us. --Swift.

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

            For many miles about There 's scarce a bush. --Shak.

            Since, hired for life, thy servile muse sing.
                                                  --prior.

            To guide the sun's bright chariot for a day.
                                                  --Garth.

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

            We 'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet.
                                                  --Beau. & Fl.

   {For}, or {As for}, so far as concerns; as regards; with
      reference to; -- used parenthetically or independently.
      See under {As}.

            As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
                                                  --Josh. xxiv.
                                                  15.

            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. for??.], 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.