The verb forbear (pronounced for-BĔR) means “to hold back.” The past tense is forebore.
This verb can be followed by a prepositional phrase starting with from, or by an infinitive phrase.
- Since the Minister is absent, I will forbear from commenting.
- Out of tact, we forbore to mention the error.
The noun forebear (pronounced FOR-bĕr) means “ancestor.” It is sometimes spelled forbear, without the e before the b.
- Antonia’s forebears were hard-working people.
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