forbear definition - Dictionary

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forbear (1)

for·bear [ fawr bér, fər bér ] (past for·bore [ fawr báwr, fər báwr ], past participle for·borne [ fawr báwrn, fər báwrn ], present participle for·bear·ing, 3rd person present singular for·bears)

verb

Definition:

1. intransitive verb hold back from something: to not do or say something that you could do or say, especially when this shows self-control or consideration for the feelings of others

I forbore to criticize their efforts, though criticism was well deserved.

2. transitive and intransitive verb be tolerant: to tolerate something with patience or endurance

willing to forbear their failures

[ Old English forberan, literally "bear against"]

for·bear·er noun

for·bear·ing adjective

for·bear·ing·ly adverb

Word Usage


	forbear or forebear ? Either spelling may be used for the noun, meaning "ancestor," but forebear is the more frequent of the two: The walls were lined with portraits of his illustrious forebears [or forbears]. Forbear is the only acceptable spelling for the verb, meaning "hold back" or "tolerate": We must forbear [not forebear] from judging people on first impressions.