'Forefend' definitions:

Definition of 'forefend'

(from WordNet)
verb
Prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike" [syn: debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off]

Definition of 'Forefend'

From: GCIDE
  • Forefend \Fore*fend"\, v. t. [OE. forfenden; pref. for- + fenden to fend. See Fend, v. t.] To hinder; to fend off; to avert; to prevent the approach of; to forbid or prohibit. See Forfend. [1913 Webster]
  • God forefend it should ever be recorded in our history. --Landor. [1913 Webster]
  • It would be a far better work . . . to forefend the cruelty. --I. Taylor. [1913 Webster]