Found 1 items, similar to Were it not for.
English → English (gcide) Definition: Were it not for 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath. --Shak. [1913 Webster] How to choose dogs for scent or speed. --Waller. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] The oak for nothing ill, The osier good for twigs, the poplar for the mill. --Spenser. [1913 Webster] It was young counsel for the persons, and violent counsel for the matters. --Bacon. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] For he writes not for money, nor for praise. --Denham. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. --2 Cor. xiii. 8. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Aristotle is for poetical justice. --Dennis. [1913 Webster] 4. Indicating that toward which the action of anything is directed, or the point toward which motion is made; ?ntending to go to. [1913 Webster] We sailed from Peru for China and Japan. --Bacon. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 6. Indicating that in the character of or as being which anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being. [1913 Webster] We take a falling meteor for a star. --Cowley. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Most of our ingenious young men take up some cried-up English poet for their model. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] But let her go for an ungrateful woman. --Philips. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] The writer will do what she please for all me. --Spectator. [1913 Webster] God's desertion shall, for aught he knows, the next minute supervene. --Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster] For anything that legally appears to the contrary, it may be a contrivance to fright us. --Swift. [1913 Webster] 8. Indicating the space or time through which an action or state extends; hence, during; in or through the space or time of. [1913 Webster] For many miles about There 's scarce a bush. --Shak. [1913 Webster] Since, hired for life, thy servile muse sing. --prior. [1913 Webster] To guide the sun's bright chariot for a day. --Garth. [1913 Webster] 9. Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] We 'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster] For, or As for, so far as concerns; as regards; with reference to; -- used parenthetically or independently. See under As. [1913 Webster] As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. --Josh. xxiv. 15. [1913 Webster] 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[eth][=y].], 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. [1913 Webster]