forbears

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“
His father had it when he used to row me twenty-five years ago, and I've no doubt his forbears were all like that.

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Definitions (18)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (6)

  1. transitive verb To refrain from; resist: forbear replying. See Synonyms at refrain1.
  2. transitive verb To desist from; cease.
  3. transitive verb Obsolete To avoid or shun.
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Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (6)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (3)

Toggle WordNet definitions WordNet (3)

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Examples (50)

  • When a man claims to be descended from Irish kings, it generally means that his forbears were bigger scoundrels than he is, for they were cattle-lifters and marauders, whilst his depredations are probably disguised under some of the many insidious forms of finance. —  The Reminiscences of an Irish Land Agent
  • Although probably an inheritance from gypsy forbears, his jet-black hair and golden skin suggested Italian or Greek descent. —  A Guilty Thing Surprised
  • It seems that our forbears weren't all that different from us. —  msnbc.com: Community
  • The wealth built up by our forbears is now mostly gone. —  WHAT REALLY HAPPENED
  • Unlike their forbears, Americans today live a material life, not a spiritual one. —  VDARE.com - Latest Articles
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This word has been looked up 49 times.

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