forbear (redirected from forbears)

for·bear ¹  (fôr-bâr)

v. for·bore (-bôr, -br), for·borne (-bôrn, -brn), for·bear·ing, for·bears

v.tr.

1. To refrain from; resist: forbear replying. See Synonyms at refrain¹.

2. To desist from; cease.

3. Obsolete To avoid or shun.

v.intr.

1. To hold back; refrain.

2. To be tolerant or patient in the face of provocation.

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[Middle English forberen, from Old English forberan, to endure; see bher-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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for·bearer n.

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forbear ¹

Verb

[-bearing, -bore, -borne] to cease or refrain (from doing something) [Old English forberan]

forbearance n

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forbear ²

Noun

same as forebear

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	forbear - a person from whom you are descended forebear ancestor, antecedent, ascendant, ascendent, root - someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent) grandparent - a parent of your father or mother great grandparent - a parent of your grandparent
Verb	1.	forbear - refrain from doing; "she forbore a snicker" hold back refrain, forbear - resist doing something; "He refrained from hitting him back"; "she could not forbear weeping"
	2.	forbear - resist doing something; "He refrained from hitting him back"; "she could not forbear weeping" refrain leave alone, leave behind, leave - leave unchanged or undisturbed or refrain from taking; "leave it as is"; "leave the young fawn alone"; "leave the flowers that you see in the park behind" let it go - not act; "He thought of a reply but let it go" abstain - refrain from voting spare, save - refrain from harming forbear, hold back - refrain from doing; "she forbore a snicker" help oneself, help - abstain from doing; always used with a negative; "I can't help myself--I have to smoke"; "She could not help watching the sad spectacle" stand by - not act or do anything; "He just stood by when the police beat up the demonstrators" sit out - not participate in (an activity, such as a dance or a sports event); "He sat out the game"