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Meanings of forbear in English

Catalan
refrenar-se
Spanish
refrenarse

Resist doing something.

refrenar-se

A person from whom you are descended.

Refrain from doing.

Usage of forbear in English
1
Dearest Madam, forbear for the present: I am but in my noviciate.
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 3
2
Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
3
Failing that, I request that you forbear invading me for a time.
The Great Book of Amber
4
Broffin could not forbear the peering peep around the sheltering window draperies.
The Price
5
But Folko called out, In the name of our holy Saviour, forbear.
Sintram and His Companions
6
In Jehovah's name forbear; cried a shrill, but clear and melodious voice.
Complete Prose Works / Specimen Days and Collect, November Bough...
7
For the life of me I cannot forbear a cry of exultation.
The New North
8
Policeman peers in at me inquiringly, but I forbear to ask questions.
The Rising of the Court
9
I would forbear the requirements until after I have reached my lord.
Brotherhood of the Wolf
10
Whereupon those who accompanied the prince requested his Royal Highness to forbear.
North America — Volume 1
11
Sir, I cannot forbear to take the owlet out of your mouth.
Citation and Examination of William Shakspeare, Euseby Treen, Jo...
12
As for the letters of dear Lucy, I forbear to copy any.
Miles Wallingford / Sequel to "Afloat and Ashore"
13
I could not forbear, even in our haste, to seek some consolation.
The Sleuth of St. James's Square
14
Minerva could not forbear to admire, yet felt indignant at the insult.
Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable
15
But I forbear to say more on a subject which is forbidden.
Gascoyne, the Sandal-Wood Trader
16
Here especially is one which I cannot forbear stopping to look at.
Marguerite
About this term
More collocations
Translations for forbear
Forbear through the time
Forbear across language varieties
United Kingdom
Common