foredeal en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Etymology
From earlier fordele, from Middle English foredel, foredele. Equivalent to fore- + deal. Compare Saterland Frisian Foardeel (“advantage, gain, benefit, profit”), Dutch voordeel, Low German fortel, German Vorteil (“advantage”), Danish fordel, Swedish fördel. More at fore-, deal.
Meanings
-
An advantage; benefit; profit.
And thus the battaile was great, and oftentimes that one partie was at a foredele and anon at an afterdele, which endured long.
1889, Sir Thomas Mallory, La morte d'Arthure: The history of King Arthur and of the Knights:[...] and at a great foredeal already; [and as for] such foredeal that they despair not of the...a deal, but that through the help of God, [our Grace and] other good ministers, these personages which [shall be now] sent shall undoubtedly conclude [...]
1527, Brewer, Brodie, Gairdner, Letters and papers, foreign and domestic, of the reign of Henry VIII:And though this be a great foredeal, and an excellent jewel, yet the great and unspeakable glory, that in time to come shall be declared in us, hath not yet appeared.
1846, Miles Coverdale, Remains of Miles Coverdale (Hope of the Faithful):
- (Scotland, UK, dialectal) The first place; lead; precedence; preference.
- (Scotland, UK, dialectal) Progress; advancement.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| fordel | alternative | lexicographic | |
| forthdeal | alternative | lexicographic | |
| fordell | alternative | lexicographic | |
| foredeals | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| fordeal | alternative | lexicographic | |
| fordele | alternative | lexicographic | |
| fordeale | alternative | lexicographic |