v. t. [ imp. Forbade p. p. Forbidden Forbid, [ Obs. ]); p. pr. & vb. n. Forbidding ] [ OE. forbeden, AS. forbeódan; pref. for- + beódan to bid; akin to D. verbieden, G. verbieten, Icel. fyrirbjōða, forboða, Sw. förbjuda, Dan. forbyde. See Bid, v. t. ] 1. To command against, or contrary to; to prohibit; to interdict. [ 1913 Webster ] More than I have said . . . The leisure and enforcement of the time Forbids to dwell upon. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To deny, exclude from, or warn off, by express command; to command not to enter. [ 1913 Webster ] Have I not forbid her my house? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To oppose, hinder, or prevent, as if by an effectual command; as, an impassable river forbids the approach of the army. [ 1913 Webster ] A blaze of glory that forbids the sight. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. To accurse; to blast. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] He shall live a man forbid. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. To defy; to challenge. [ Obs. ] L. Andrews. Syn. -- To prohibit; interdict; hinder; preclude; withhold; restrain; prevent. See Prohibit. [ 1913 Webster ] |