(ˈ)fȯrˈfend, ˈfȯ(ə)ˈ- transitive verb
also fore·fend (ˈ)fōrˈ-, -ȯrˈ-, -ōə-, -ȯ(ə)ˈ-
Etymology: Middle English forfenden; from for- + fenden to fend — more at fend
1.
a. archaic : forbid , prohibit
b. : to ward off : avert , prevent
may God forfend such an unhappy fate
forfend the crash of civilization — Saturday Review
may Heaven forfend that she should die so young
2. : protect , preserve , secure
gathered in an isolated area to forfend themselves from the epidemic