I. fȯrˈbe(ə)r, fər-, -ˈba(a)(ə)r; fȯəˈbeə, fəˈ-, -ˈba(a)ə verb
( for·bore -ˈbō(ə)r, -ˈbȯ(ə)r; -ˈbōə, -ˈbȯ(ə) ; or archaic forbare pronounced like forbear ; forborne -ˈbȯ(ə)rn; -ˈbȯ(ə)n ; forbearing ; forbears )
Etymology: Middle English forberen, from Old English forberan (akin to Old High German firberan to refrain from, abstain, Gothic frabairan to endure), from for- + beran to bear — more at forbear
transitive verb
1. obsolete
a. : to bear with : endure
b. : to control (feelings)
2. obsolete : to leave alone : shun
forbear his presence — Shakespeare
3. obsolete : to do without : endure the privation of
fruits … whose taste too long forborne — John Milton
4. : to refrain from : abstain or desist from
so poison-mean the marsh mosquitoes forbore to bite him — S.H.Adams
could not forbear crying out
wherever he has not the power to do or forbear any act — Frank Thilly
: forgo
a merchant who could not forbear the fun of setting sail — Times Literary Supplement
intransitive verb
1. : to hold back : abstain , decline
forbear , my friends, and spare me this ovation — W.S.Gilbert
I cannot forbear from expressing my surprise
2. : to control oneself when provoked : be patient
forbore with his friend's failings
Synonyms: see forgo , refrain
II.
variant of forebear