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# forbear

verb (forbears, forbearing, forbore, forborne)

«forbear» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (old use, in fairy tales) To forbear is to hold back from doing something; to refrain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/forbear/#m1)
2. To forbear is to be patient and gentle with someone instead of punishing them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/forbear/#m2)

### In the lessons

in fairy tales a warning such as «forbear to open» means do not open; a king may forbear to punish a child.

### Examples

- Forbear to open the golden door. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/forbear/#x1)
- I must forbear from eating the last cake. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/forbear/#x2)
- The king forbore to punish the boy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/forbear/#x3)

### Note

nothing for maths

## In Jewish tradition

It means to refrain from vowing, or to hold back from passing by someone in need.

**Interpretation.** A vow need not be made, and not making one is no sin. Helping an enemy's fallen animal is read as a way to overcome hate.

### Examples

- But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. (Torah DEU.23.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/forbear/#x1)
- If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under its burden, thou shalt forbear to pass by him; thou shalt surely release it with him. (Torah EXO.23.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/forbear/#x2)
- By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. (Writings PRO.25.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/forbear/#x3)
- Though I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and though I forbear, what am I eased? (Writings JOB.16.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/forbear/#x4)
- But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to forbear offering unto other gods. (Prophets JER.44.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/forbear/#x5)

### Note

nothing for maths

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «forbear» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/forbear/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«forbear» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/forbear.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «forbear» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/forbear/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«forbear» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/forbear.html) on Mova free.