forbidden
[ fer-bid-n, fawr- ]
verb
a past participle of forbid.
adjective
not allowed; prohibited: a forbidden food in his religion.
Physics. involving a change in quantum numbers that is not permitted by the selection rules: forbidden transition.
Origin of forbidden
1First recorded in 1200–50, for the adjective
Other words from forbidden
- for·bid·den·ly, adverb
- for·bid·den·ness, noun
- pre·for·bid·den, adjective
- self-for·bid·den, adjective
- un·for·bid·den, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for forbidden
forbidden
/ (fəˈbɪdən) /
adjective
not permitted by order or law
physics involving a change in quantum numbers that is not permitted by certain rules derived from quantum mechanics, esp rules for changes in the electrical dipole moment of the system
usage For forbidden
It was formerly considered incorrect to talk of forbidding someone from doing something, but in modern usage either from or to can be used: he was forbidden from entering/to enter the building
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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