Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FOR-BEAR-ANCE, n.

1. The act of avoiding, shunning or omitting; either the cessation or intermission of an act commenced, or a withholding from beginning an act. Liberty is the power of doing or forbearing an action, according as the doing or forbearance has a preference in the mind. The forbearance of sin is followed with satisfaction of mind.
2. Command of temper; restraint of passions. Have a continent forbearance, till the speed of his rage goes slower. Shak.
3. The exercise of patience; long suffering; indulgence toward those who injure us; lenity; delay of resentment or punishment. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long suffering? Rom. ii.