forceorfan

From for- +‎ ċeorfan.

• IPA^(key): /forˈt͡ʃe͜or.fɑn/, [forˈt͡ʃe͜orˠ.vɑn]

forċeorfan

1. to cut or carve out or away, cut through, cut asunder, divide
   • The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

     An. DCC.XCVII Hēr Rōmane Leone þām papan his tungan forcurfon ⁊ his ēagan āstungon, ⁊ hine of his setle āflīemdon, ⁊ þā sōna eft, Gode fultomiendum, hē meahte ġesēon ⁊ sprēcan ⁊ eft was papa swā hē ǣr wæs.

     Year 797 In this year the Romans cut out the tongue of Pope Leo [III] and gouged out his eyes and drove him from his throne. And soon, through God's help, he was able to see and speak again, and became pope again just like he was before.

   • Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church

     ...ðā ðā hǣðenan āhēowon þæt trēow mid ormǣtre blisse, þæt hit brastliende sāh tō ðām hālgan were, hetelīċe swīðe. Þā worhte hē onġēan ðām hrēosendum trēowe þǣs Hǣlendes rōde tācn, and hit ðǣrrihte ætstōd, wende ðā onġēan, and hrēas underbæc, and fornēan offēoll ðā ðe hit ǣr forcurfon.

     Then the heathens cut down the tree with great joy, so that, rustling, it fell towards the holy man very violently. Then he made the sign of the Savior's cross to the falling tree, and it immediately stood still, turned around, and fell backwards, and almost fell upon those who had previously cut it.

• Middle English: forkerven
  • English: forcarve