Main Entry:

¹for·bear

Pronunciation:

\fȯr-ˈber, fər-\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

for·bore \-ˈbȯr\ ; for·borne \-ˈbȯrn\ ; for·bear·ing

Etymology:

Middle English forberen, from Old English forberan to endure, do without, from for- + beran to bear

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1obsolete : to do without2: to hold oneself back from especially with an effort <forbore mentioning the incident>3obsolete : to leave alone : shun <forbear his presence — Shakespeare>intransitive verb1: hold back, abstain <have forborne from taking part in any controversy — Abraham Lincoln>2: to control oneself when provoked : be patient

— for·bear·er noun