- forfend
- forfend (v.) also forefend, late 14c., "to protect, prohibit; to avert, prevent," a hybrid from FOR- (Cf. for-) + fend, from L. defendere "to ward off."
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
forfend
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Forfend — For*fend , v. t. [Pref. for + fend. See {Forewend}.] To prohibit; to forbid; to avert. [Archaic] [1913 Webster] Which peril heaven forefend! Shak. [1913 Webster] Note: This is etymologically the preferable spelling. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
forfend — index ban, contain (restrain), deter, forbid, forestall, prevent, prohibit Burton s Legal Thesaurus … Law dictionary
forfend — [fôr fend′] vt. [ME forfenden: see FOR & FEND] Archaic 1. to forbid 2. to ward off; prevent … English World dictionary
forfend — verb /ˈfɔːˌfɛnd/ To prohibit; to forbid; to avert. What? Multi posting? Usenet Gods forfend! … Wiktionary
forfend — [fɔ: fɛnd] verb 1》 archaic avert or prevent (something evil or unpleasant). 2》 US protect by precautionary measures. Phrases Heaven (or God) forfend archaic or humorous used to express dismay at the thought of something … English new terms dictionary
forfend — /fɔˈfɛnd/ (say faw fend) –verb (t) 1. US to defend, secure, or protect. 2. Obsolete to fend off, avert, or prevent. –phrase 3. Heaven forfend, Archaic (an expression, often used humorously as a mock prayer, calling on Heaven to ward off an evil… …
forfend — transitive verb Date: 14th century 1. a. archaic forbid b. to ward off ; prevent 2. protect, preserve … New Collegiate Dictionary
forfend — /fawr fend /, v.t. 1. to defend, secure, or protect. 2. to fend off, avert, or prevent. 3. Archaic. forbid. Also, forefend. [1350 1400; ME forfenden. See FOR , FEND] * * * … Universalium
forfend — (Roget s Thesaurus II) also forefend verb To prohibit from occurring by advance planning or action: avert, forestall, obviate, preclude, prevent, rule out, stave off, ward (off). Idiom: nip in the bud. See ALLOW … English dictionary for students
forfend — see DEFEND … The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins
