forbear

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: forebearhold backrefrain

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a person from whom you are descendedSynonyms: forebear

Verb (2)

  1. refrain from doing“she forbore a snicker”Synonyms: hold back
  2. resist doing something“He refrained from hitting him back”“she could not forbear weeping”Synonyms: refrain
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Webster's Dictionary (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]
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]
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]
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