For·bear·ing, a. Disposed or accustomed to forbear; patient; long-suffering. -- For*bear*ing*ly, adv.
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For·bear v. i. [imp. Forbore (Forbare [Obs.]); p. p. Forborne p. pr. & vb. n. Forbearing.]
1. To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.
Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? --1 Kings xxii. 6.
2. To refuse; to decline; to give no heed.
Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. --Ezek. ii. 7.
3. To control one's self when provoked.
The kindest and the happiest pair
Will find occasion to forbear. --Cowper.
Both bear and forbear. --Old Proverb.
forbearing
adj : showing patient and unruffled self-control and restraint
under adversity; slow to retaliate or express
resentment; "seemly and forbearing...yet strong enough
to resist aggression"; "was longanimous in the face of
suffering" [syn: longanimous]