fo

A leaf of a book or manuscript

A page of a book, that is, one side of a leaf of a book.

A page number. The even folios are on the left-hand pages and the odd folios on the right-hand pages.

A sheet of paper folded in half.

(books) A book made of sheets of paper each folded in half (two leaves or four pages to the sheet); hence, a book of the largest kind, exceeding 30 cm in height.

“A rare copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio.”

A page in an account book; sometimes, two opposite pages bearing the same serial number.

(19th to early 20th century) A leaf containing a certain number of words; hence, a certain number of words in a writing, as in England, in law proceedings 72, and in chancery, 90; in New York, 100 words.

A wrapper for loose papers.

Pronunciation spelling of four.

Towards; in the direction of.

“He was headed for the door when he remembered.”

Directed at; intended to belong to.

“I have something for you.”

In order to help, benefit, gratify, honor etc. (someone or something).

“Everything I do, I do for you.”

To be used or treated in a stated way, or with a stated purpose.

“The cake is for Tom and Helen's anniversary.”

Supporting, in favour of.

“All those for the motion raise your hands.”

Because of.

“He looks better for having lost weight.”

Intended to cure, remove or counteract; in order to cure, remove or counteract.

“I need to spray my house for termites.”

Over (a period of time).

“I've lived here for three years.”

Throughout or across (a distance in space).

“I can see for miles.”

Used to introduce a subject within a to-infinitive clause.

“All I want is for you to be happy.”

On behalf of.

“I speak for the Prime Minister.”

In the role or capacity of; instead of; in place of.

“He's got a turnip for a brain.”

In exchange for; in correspondence or equivalence with.

“He matched me blow for blow.”

In order to obtain or acquire.

“Can you go to the store for some eggs?”

By the standards of, usually with the implication of those standards being lower than one might otherwise expect.

“Fair for its day.”

To be, or as being.

“Don't take me for a fool.”

(usually in the phrase 'for all') Despite, in spite of.

“For all his expensive education, he didn't seem very bright.”

Indicating something desired or anticipated.

“Ah! for wings to soar …”

(in expressions such as 'for a start') Introducing the first item(s) in a potential sequence.

“Go scuba diving? For one thing, I can't even swim.”

(with names) In honor of; after.

“He is named for his grandfather.”

Due or facing (a certain outcome or fate).

“He totally screwed up that project. Now he's surely for the sack.”

Out of; used to indicate a fraction, a ratio

“In term of base hits, Jones was three for four on the day”

Used as part of a score to indicate the number of wickets that have fallen.

“At close of play, England were 305 for 3.”

Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done.

Used in various more-or-less idiomatic ways to construe individual verbs, indicating various semantic relationships such as target, purpose, result, etc.; see also the entries for individual phrasal verbs, e.g. ask for, look for, stand for, etc.

“to account for one's whereabouts    to care for a relative    to settle for second best    to allow for mistakes”