Dictionary-Definition.com :: Forbear definition

Definition of 'forbear'

noun

A person from whom you are descended [syn: forebear, forbear]

verb

Refrain from doing; "she forbore a snicker" [syn: forbear, hold back]

verb

Resist doing something; "He refrained from hitting him back"; "she could not forbear weeping" [syn: refrain, forbear] [ant: act, move]

From: GCIDE

Forbear \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 doubtful propriety. [1913 Webster]
But let me that plunder forbear. --Shenstone. [1913 Webster]
The King In open battle or the tilting field Forbore his own advantage. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
2. To treat with consideration or indulgence. [1913 Webster]
Forbearing one another in love. --Eph. iv. 2. [1913 Webster]
3. To cease from bearing. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Whenas my womb her burden would forbear. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Forbear \For*bear"\ (f[o^]r*b[^a]r"), n. [See Fore, and Bear to produce.] An ancestor; a forefather; -- usually in the plural. [Scot.] [Also spelled forebear.] "Your forbears of old." --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Forbear \For*bear"\ (f[o^]r*b[^a]r"), 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. [1913 Webster]
Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? --1 Kings xxii. 6. [1913 Webster]
2. To refuse; to decline; to give no heed. [1913 Webster]
Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. --Ezek. ii. 7. [1913 Webster]
3. To control one's self when provoked. [1913 Webster]
The kindest and the happiest pair Will find occasion to forbear. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
Both bear and forbear. --Old Proverb. [1913 Webster]