forslouthen

Middle English

Etymology

From Old English forslǣwan, reshaped from the noun slouthe, slewthe (“sloth”). The original form also survived as forsleuen.

Verb

forslouthen (third-person singular simple present forsloutheth, present participle forslouthende, forslouthynge, first-/third-person singular past indicative and past participle forslouthed)

1. (intransitive) To delay, to be slow to act.
2. (transitive) To neglect (to do something), to leave undone.
3. (transitive) To lose through sloth or negligence.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Chaucer to this entry?)

4. (transitive) To waste (time) idly.

Alternative forms

• forsleuthen