Definitions for: Forbear


[n] a person from whom you are descended
[v] not do something; "He refrained from hitting him back"; "she could not forbear weeping"



Webster (1913) Definition: For*bear", n. [See Fore, and Bear to produce.]
An ancestor; a forefather; -- usually in the plural. [Scot.]
``Your forbears of old.'' --Sir W. Scott.


For*bear", v. i. [imp. Forbore(Forbare, [Obs.]);
p. p. Forborne; p. pr. & vb. n. Forbearing.] [OE.
forberen, AS. forberan; pref. for- + beran to bear. See
Bear to support.]
1. To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.

Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall
I forbear? --1 Kinds
xxii. 6.

2. To refuse; to decline; to give no heed.

Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they
will hear, or whether they will forbear. --Ezek. ii.
7.

3. To control one's self when provoked.

The kindest and the happiest pair Will find occasion
to forbear. --Cowper.

Both bear and forbear. --Old Proverb.


For*bear", v. t.
1. To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from; to give up;
as, to forbear the use of a word of doubdtful propriety.

But let me that plunder forbear. --Shenstone.

The King In open battle or the tilting field Forbore
his own advantage. --Tennyson.

2. To treat with consideration or indulgence.

Forbearing one another in love. --Eph. iv. 2.

3. To cease from bearing. [Obs.]

Whenas my womb her burden would forbear. --Spenser.

Synonyms: forebear, refrain

Antonyms: act, move

See Also: abstain, ancestor, antecedent, ascendant, ascendent, grandparent, great grandparent, help, help oneself, let it go, root, save, sit out, spare, stand by

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
o letter animals
animals starting with g
animals.net