Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • intransitive verb To keep oneself from doing something; hold back; refrain.
  • intransitive verb To be tolerant or patient in the face of provocation.
  • intransitive verb To refrain from; resist.
  • intransitive verb To restrain oneself so as not (to do something).

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English forberen, from Old English forberan, to endure; see bher- in Indo-European roots.]

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Examples

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