\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.

\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.

\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.