Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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verb
To prohibit; to forbid; to avert.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: debar, forefend, obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude, forbid
History
From Middle English forfenden (“to ward off, protect, prohibit”), equivalent to for- + fend.
Across languages
14 source translations are retained for this English entry.
