forsooth
/fɔɹˈsuθ/ adverb
- adverb (archaic or poetic) Used as an intensifier, often ironic: indeed, really, truthfully.
Synonyms
in point of fact in truth to tell the truth above a bit actually all things considered as a matter of fact by right certainly come to think of it de facto definitely de jure fact is frankly honestly in actuality in all honesty indubitably in fact
Etymology
From Middle English forsothe, forsoþe, for sothe, from Old English for sōþ (“truly, for certain, forsooth”), equivalent to for (“for, by”) + sooth (“truth”).
Webster’s 1913
- adverb In truth; in fact; certainly; very well; --formerly used as an expression of deference or respect, especially to woman; now used ironically or contemptuously.
- verb To address respectfully with the term forsooth. [Obs.]
- noun A person who used forsooth much; a very ceremonious and deferential person. [R.]
Etymology [AS. forso\'eb; for, prep. + so\'eb sooth, truth. See For, prep., and Sooth.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “forsooth”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details