forfend

for·fend also fore·fend  (fôr-fnd, fr-)

tr.v. for·fend·ed also fore·fend·ed, for·fend·ing also fore·fend·ing, for·fends also fore·fends

1.

a. To keep or ward off; avert.

b. Archaic To forbid.

2. To defend or protect.

---

[Middle English forfenden : for-, for- + fenden, to ward off; see fend.]

---

forfend, forefend [fɔːˈfɛnd]

vb (tr)

1. US to protect or secure

2. Obsolete to prohibit or prevent

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

forfend - prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike" deflect, fend off, forefend, head off, avert, stave off, ward off, avoid, debar, obviate foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent, forbid - keep from happening or arising; make impossible; "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"; "Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project"