forfend

verb

for·fend | \fȯr-ˈfend

\

forfended; forfending; forfends

Definition of forfend

transitive verb

1a archaic : forbid

b : to ward off : prevent

2 : protect, preserve

Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about forfend

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

English speakers have been using forfend with the meanings "to forbid" and "to prevent" since the late 14th century, and the meaning "to protect" since the late 16th century. These days, however, the "forbid" sense is considered archaic; we only use it (as in our second example) in phrases like "heaven forfend" or "God forfend." Forfend comes from for- (an old prefix meaning "so as to involve prohibition, exclusion, omission, failure, neglect, or refusal") and Middle English fenden (a shorter variant of defenden, meaning "to defend").

Examples of forfend in a Sentence

a place of refuge where the settlers could forfend themselves from attack

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about forfend

Listen to Our Podcast about forfend

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries near forfend

forfeiture bond

Statistics for forfend

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for forfend

The first known use of forfend was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

WORD OF THE DAY

recalcitrant

obstinately defiant of authority

Test Your Vocabulary

Autumn Words of the Day 2018

Which is a synonym of fugacious?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games