n. [ See Fore, and Bear to produce. ] An ancestor; a forefather; -- usually in the plural. [ Scot. ] [ Also spelled forebear. ] “Your forbears of old.” Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. Forbore Forbare [ Obs. ]); p. p. Forborne p. pr. & vb. n. Forbearing. ] [ OE. forberen, AS. forberan; pref. for- + beran to bear. See Bear to support. ] 1. To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? 1 Kings xxii. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To refuse; to decline; to give no heed. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Ezek. ii. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To control one's self when provoked. [ 1913 Webster ]

The kindest and the happiest pair
Will find occasion to forbear. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

Both bear and forbear. Old Proverb. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from; to give up; as, to forbear the use of a word of doubtful propriety. [ 1913 Webster ]

But let me that plunder forbear. Shenstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

The King
In open battle or the tilting field
Forbore his own advantage. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To treat with consideration or indulgence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Forbearing one another in love. Eph. iv. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To cease from bearing. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Whenas my womb her burden would forbear. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of forbearing or waiting; the exercise of patience. [ 1913 Webster ]

He soon shall find
Forbearance no acquittance ere day end. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The quality of being forbearing; indulgence toward offenders or enemies; long-suffering. [ 1913 Webster ]

Have a continent forbearance, till the speed of his rage goes slower. Shak.

Syn. -- Abstinence; refraining; lenity; mildness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Forbearing. [ R. ] Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who forbears. Tusser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Disposed or accustomed to forbear; patient; long-suffering. -- For*bear"ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]