forfend - definition of forfend - synonyms, pronunciation, spelling from Free Dictionary

Open English WordNet

prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; to protect from or to keep away anything undesirable; to ward off“Let's avoid a confrontation”“head off a confrontation”“avert a strike”Synonyms: debar forefend obviate deflect avert head off stave off fend off avoid ward offMore general prevent, forestall

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For·fend′ transitive verb

Origin: Pref. for- + fend. See Forewend.

To prohibit; to forbid; to avert. archaic

Which peril heaven forefend!— William Shakespeare

☞ This is etymologically the preferable spelling.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54