forbear
[ fawr-bair ]
verb (used with object),for·bore [fawr-bawr], /fɔrˈbɔr/, for·borne [fawr-bawrn], /fɔrˈbɔrn/, for·bear·ing.
to refrain or abstain from; desist from.
to keep back; withhold.
Obsolete. to endure.
verb (used without object),for·bore [fawr-bawr], /fɔrˈbɔr/, for·borne [fawr-bawrn], /fɔrˈbɔrn/, for·bear·ing.
to refrain; hold back.
to be patient or self-controlled when subject to annoyance or provocation.
Origin of forbear
1Other words for forbear
Other words from forbear
- for·bear·er, noun
- for·bear·ing·ly, adverb
- non·for·bear·ing, adjective
- non·for·bear·ing·ly, adverb
- un·for·bear·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for forbear (1 of 2)
forbear1
/ (fɔːˈbɛə) /
verb-bears, -bearing, -bore or -borne
(when intr, often foll by from or an infinitive) to cease or refrain (from doing something)
archaic to tolerate or endure (misbehaviour, mistakes, etc)
Origin of forbear
1Old English forberan; related to Gothic frabairan to endure
Derived forms of forbear
- forbearer, noun
- forbearingly, adverb
British Dictionary definitions for forbear (2 of 2)
forbear2
/ (ˈfɔːˌbɛə) /
noun
a variant spelling of forebear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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