/ fəˈbɪd; NAmE fərˈb-/ verb ( for·bade / fəˈbæd; fəˈbeɪd; NAmE fərˈb-/ for·bid·den / fəˈbɪdn; NAmE fərˈb-/)
1.
forbid sb (from doing sth) to order sb not to do sth; to order that sth must not be done :
[ vn ]
He forbade them from mentioning the subject again.
Her father forbade the marriage.
[ vn to inf ]
You are all forbidden to leave.
[ vnn ]
My doctor has forbidden me sugar.
OPP allow , permit [also vn -ing , v -ing ]
2.
( formal ) to make it difficult or impossible to do sth
SYN prohibit :
[ vn ]
Lack of space forbids further treatment of the topic here.
[also vn to inf ]
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IDIOMS
- God / Heaven forbid (that ... )
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English forbēodan (from for- and bid (II)).