forsooth

  • 1Forsooth — For*sooth , adv. [AS. fors[=o][eth]; for, prep. + s[=o][eth] sooth, truth. See {For}, prep., and {Sooth}.] In truth; in fact; certainly; very well; formerly used as an expression of deference or respect, especially to woman; now used ironically… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2Forsooth — For*sooth , n. A person who used forsooth much; a very ceremonious and deferential person. [R.] [1913 Webster] You sip so like a forsooth of the city. B. Jonson. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3Forsooth — For*sooth , v. t. To address respectfully with the term forsooth. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] The captain of the Charles had forsoothed her, though he knew her well enough and she him. Pepys. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 4forsooth — O.E. forsoð indeed, verily, from FOR (Cf. for ), perhaps here with intensive force (or else the whole might be for a truth ), + soð truth (see SOOTH (Cf. sooth)) …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 5forsooth — ► ADVERB archaic or humorous ▪ indeed …

    English terms dictionary

  • 6forsooth — [fôr so͞oth′, fərso͞oth′] adv. [ME forsoth < OE prep. for + soth, truth: see SOOTH] Archaic in truth; no doubt; indeed: in later use, mainly ironic …

    English World dictionary

  • 7forsooth — [fə su:θ] adverb archaic or humorous indeed: a kind of wine bar for royals, forsooth. Origin OE forsōth (see for, sooth) …

    English new terms dictionary

  • 8forsooth — /fəˈsuθ/ (say fuh soohth) adverb Archaic in truth; in fact; indeed (now used ironically or derisively). {Middle English forsooth(e), Old English forsōþ for sooth} …

  • 9forsooth — adverb Etymology: Middle English for soth, from Old English forsōth, from for + sōth sooth Date: before 12th century in truth ; indeed often used to imply contempt or doubt …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 10forsooth — /fawr soohth /, adv. Archaic. (now used in derision or to express disbelief) in truth; in fact; indeed. [bef. 900; ME forsothe, OE forsoth. See FOR, SOOTH] * * * …

    Universalium