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forebear

 - 2 dictionary results

fore⋅bear

[fawr-bair, fohr-]
–noun
Usually, forebears. ancestors; forefathers.
Also, forbear.


Origin:
1425–75; ME (Scots), equiv. to fore- fore- + -bear being, var. of beer; see be, -er 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To forebear
fore·bear also for·bear   (fôr'bâr', fōr'-)   
n.  A person from whom one is descended; an ancestor. See Synonyms at ancestor.

[Middle English forbear : fore-, fore- + beer, one who is (from ben, to be; see be).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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