An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A preposition used to indicate the object or purpose of an action.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.E. for “before, in the sight of, in the presence of” (source also of Old Saxon furi “before,” Old Frisian for, Middle Dutch vore, Dutch voor “for, before;” German für “for;” Danish for “for,” før “before;” Gothic faur “for,” faura “before”), from PIE root *per- “forward,” hence “in front of, before,” etc.

Etymology (PE): Barâye “because of,” related to Pers. cerâ “for what reason, why?,” irâ “for this reason, therefore,” zirâ “because, on account of;” also rây “opinion, consult,” Mid.Pers. râd, rây “because of, for the sake of, on behalf of;” O.Pers. rā “reason, cause,” in rādiy “for this reason,” → reason.