Forbid definition
To command against the doing or use of (something); prohibit.
Forbid smoking on trains.
verb
To have the effect of preventing; preclude.
Discretion forbids a reply.
verb
To make impossible; prevent.
verb
To forbid is defined as to order that something not occur, or to prevent something from occurring.
When you order your children not to go to a party, this is an example of a time when you forbid their attendance at the party.
verb
To rule against; not permit; prohibit.
verb
Advertisement
To command to stay away from; exclude or bar from.
verb
To oppose, hinder, or prevent, as if by an effectual command.
An impassable river forbids the approach of the army.
verb
To command (someone) not to do something.
I forbid you to go.
verb
To deny, exclude from, or warn off, by express command.
verb
Advertisement
Origin of forbid
- Middle English forbidden, forbeden from Old English forbēodan bheudh- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English forbeden, from Old English forbēodan (“to forbid, prohibit, restrain, refuse, repeal, annul”), equivalent to for- (“from, away”) + bid (“to offer, proclaim”). Cognate with Dutch verbieden (“to forbid”), German verbieten (“to forbid”), Danish forbyde (“to forbid”), Swedish förbjuda (“to forbid”), Gothic (faurbiudan).
From Wiktionary