■ verb ( ~s , ~ding ; past forbade -'bad , -'beɪd or forbad ; past participle ~den )
1》 refuse to allow.
↘order not to do.
2》 make impossible; prevent: the cliffs ~ any easy turning movement.
3》 [as adjective ~den ] Physics (of a quantum transition) contrary to a selection rule.
Phrases
the ~den degrees the number of steps of descent from the same ancestor that bar two related people from marrying.
~den fruit a thing that is desired all the more because it is not allowed. [with biblical allusion to Gen. 2:17.]
God (or Heaven ) ~ expressing a fervent wish that something does not happen.
Origin
OE forbēodan (see for- , bid 2 ).