For·bid v. t. [imp. Forbade p. p. Forbidden (Forbid, [Obs.]); p. pr. & vb. n. Forbidding ]
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. [Obs.]
He shall live a man forbid. --Shak.
5. To defy; to challenge. [Obs.]
Syn: -- To prohibit; interdict; hinder; preclude; withhold; restrain; prevent. See Prohibit.
forbid
v 1: command against; "I forbid you to call me late at night";
"Mother vetoed the trip to the chocolate store" [syn: prohibit,
interdict, proscribe, veto, disallow] [ant: permit,
permit]
2: keep from happening or arising; have the effect of
preventing; "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"
[syn: prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude]
[also: forbidding, forbidden, forbade, forbad]