forbear

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: for=bear

CIDE DICTIONARY

forbear, n. [See Fore, and Bear to produce.].

 An ancestor; a forefather; -- usually in the plural.  Sir W. Scott.  [1913 Webster]

forbear, v. i. [OE. forberen, AS. forberan; pref. for- + beran to bear. See Bear to support.].

•  To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.  [1913 Webster]

  "Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?"  [1913 Webster]
•  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."  [1913 Webster]
•  To control one's self when provoked.  [1913 Webster]

  "The kindest and the happiest pair
  Will find occasion to forbear."  [1913 Webster]

  "Both bear and forbear."  [1913 Webster]

forbear, v. t. 

•  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."  [1913 Webster]

  "The King
  In open battle or the tilting field
  Forbore his own advantage."  [1913 Webster]
•  To treat with consideration or indulgence.  [1913 Webster]

  "Forbearing one another in love."  [1913 Webster]
•  To cease from bearing.  [1913 Webster]

  "Whenas my womb her burden would forbear."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

forbear, v.intr. & tr. (past forbore; past part. forborne) (often foll. by from, or to + infin.) literary abstain or desist (from) (could not forbear (from) speaking out; forbore to mention it).

forbear, var. of FOREBEAR.

THESAURUS

forbear

abstain, abstain from, avoid, be patient, bear, bear with composure, bridle, carry on, carry through, cease, curb, desist, dispense with, do without, endure, escape, eschew, evade, forgive, forgo, give quarter, have mercy upon, have pity, hold, hold aloof from, hold back, hold off, inhibit, keep, keep back, keep from, keep in hand, let alone, let go by, let up on, melt, never touch, not touch, not use, pardon, pass up, refrain, refrain from, relax, relent, reprieve, reserve, restrain, sacrifice, save, shun, spare, stand aloof from, suffer, take pity on, thaw, tolerate, wait, wait it out, waive, withhold

ROGET THESAURUS

forbear

Disuse

VB not use, do without, dispense with, let alone, not touch, forbear, abstain, spare, waive, neglect, keep back, reserve, lay up, lay by, lay on the shelf, keep on the shelf, lay up in ordinary, lay up in a napkin, shelve, set aside, put aside, lay aside, disuse, leave off, have done with, supersede, discard, dismiss, give warning, throw aside, make away with, cast overboard, heave overboard, throw overboard, cast to the dogs, cast to the winds, dismantle, lie unemployed, remain unemployed.

Pity

VB pity, have pity, show pity, take pity, commiserate, compassionate, condole, sympathize, feel for, be sorry for, yearn for, weep, melt, thaw, enter into the feelings of, forbear, relent, relax, give quarter, wipe the tears, parcere subjectis, give a coup de gr=ace, put out of one's misery, raise pity, excite pity, touch, soften, melt, melt the heart, propitiate, disarm, ask for mercy, supplicate, cry for quarter, beg one's life, kneel, deprecate.

Temperance

VB be temperate, abstain, forbear, refrain, deny oneself, spare, swear off, know when one has had enough, know one's limit, take the pledge, go on the wagon.