n.
Pronunciation: fo ̇ r- ' ber, f ə r-
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -bore \ - ' bo ̇ r \ ; -borne \ - ' bo ̇ rn \ ; -bear · ing
Etymology: Middle English forberen, from Old English forberan to endure, do without, from for- + beran to bear
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 obsolete : to do without
2 : to hold oneself back from especially with an effort < forbore mentioning the incident>
3 obsolete : to leave alone : SHUN < forbear his presence ― Shakespeare>
intransitive verb
1 : 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