v.tr. (forbidding; past forbade or forbad; past part. forbidden) 1 (foll. by to + infin.) order not (I forbid you to go). 2 refuse to allow (a thing, or a person to have a thing) (I forbid it; was forbidden any wine). 3 refuse a person entry to (the gardens are forbidden to children). forbidden degrees see DEGREE. forbidden fruit something desired or enjoyed all the more because not allowed. God forbid! may it not happen!
[ OE forbeodan (as FOR-, BID) ]