Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Forbear \For*bear"\, n. [See {Fore}, and {Bear} to produce.]
   An ancestor; a forefather; -- usually in the plural. [Scot.]
   ``Your forbears of old.'' --Sir W. Scott.

Forbear \For*bear"\, v. i. [imp. {Forbore}({Forbare}, [Obs.]);
   p. p. {Forborne}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Forbearing}.] [OE.
   forberen, AS. forberan; pref. for- + beran to bear. See
   {Bear} to support.]
   1. To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.

            Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall
            I forbear?                            --1 Kinds
                                                  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.

Forbear \For*bear"\, v. t.
   1. To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from; to give up;
      as, to forbear the use of a word of doubdtful propriety.

            But let me that plunder forbear.      --Shenstone.

            The King In open battle or the tilting field Forbore
            his own advantage.                    --Tennyson.

   2. To treat with consideration or indulgence.

            Forbearing one another in love.       --Eph. iv. 2.

   3. To cease from bearing. [Obs.]

            Whenas my womb her burden would forbear. --Spenser.

Source : WordNet®

forbear
     n : a person from whom you are descended [syn: {forebear}]
     v : not do something; "He refrained from hitting him back"; "she
         could not forbear weeping" [syn: {refrain}] [ant: {act}]
     [also: {forborne}, {forbore}]