Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FOR-BEAR, v.i. [pret. forbore; pp. forborne. Sax. forbæran; for and bear.]

1. To stop; to cease; to hold from proceeding; as, forbear to repeat these reproachful words.
2. To pause; to delay; as, forbear a while.
3. To abstain; to omit; to hold one's self from motion or entering on an affair. Shall I go against Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall forbear? 1 Kings xxii.
4. To refuse; to decline. Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Ezek. ii.
5. To be patient; to restrain from action or violence. Prov. xxv. 15.