Dictionary entry

Forbid

Webster's Dictionary 1913

For‐bid″ (fŏr‐bĭd″), v. t. [imp.Forbade (–băd″); p. p.Forbidden (–bĭd″d'n) (Forbid,); p. pr. & vb. n.Forbidding (?).] [OE. forbeden, AS. forbeódan; pref. for- + beódan to bid; akin to D. verbieden, G. verbieten, Icel. fyrirbjōða, forboða, Sw. förbjuda, Dan. forbyde. See Bid, v. t.] 1. To command against, or contrary to; to prohibit; to interdict.

More than I have said...

The leisure and enforcement of the time

Forbids to dwell upon. Shak.

2. To deny, exclude from, or warn off, by express command; to command not to enter.

Have I not forbid her my house? Shak.

3. To oppose, hinder, or prevent, as if by an effectual command; as, an impassable river forbids the approach of the army.

A blaze of glory that forbids the sight. Dryden.

4. To accurse; to blast.

He shall live a man forbid. Shak.

5. To defy; to challenge. L. Andrews.

Syn. — To prohibit; interdict; hinder; preclude; withhold; restrain; prevent. See Prohibit.