for

I. preposition Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Latin per through, prae before, pro before, for, ahead, Greek pro, Old English faran to go — more at fare Date: before 12th century 1. a. — used as a function word to indicate purpose <

a grant for studying medicine

> b. — used as a function word to indicate an intended goal <

left for home

> <

acted for the best

> c. — used as a function word to indicate the object or recipient of a perception, desire, or activity <

now for a good rest

> <

run for your life

> <

an eye for a bargain

> 2. a. as being or constituting <

taken for a fool

> <

eggs for breakfast

> b. — used as a function word to indicate an actual or implied enumeration or selection <

for one thing, the price is too high

> 3. because of <

can't sleep for the heat

> 4. — used as a function word to indicate suitability or fitness <

it is not for you to choose

> <

ready for action

> 5. a. in place of <

go to the store for me

> b. (1) on behalf of ; representing <

speaks for the court

> (2) in favor of <

all for the plan

> 6. in spite of — usually used with all <

for all his large size, he moves gracefully

> 7. with respect to ; concerning <

a stickler for detail

> <

heavy for its size

> 8. a. — used as a function word to indicate equivalence in exchange <

$10 for a hat

>, equality in number or quantity <

point for point

>, or correspondence or correlation <

for every one that works, you'll find five that don't

> b. — used as a function word to indicate number of attempts <

0 for 4

> 9. — used as a function word to indicate duration of time or extent of space <

gone for two days

> 10. in honor of ; after <

named for her grandmother

> II. conjunction Date: 12th century for the reason that ; on this ground ; because III. abbreviation 1. foreign 2. forestry