Inflected forms: for·bade (-bd, -bd) or for·bad (-bd), for·bid·den (-bdn) or for·bid, for·bid·ding, for·bids 1. To command (someone) not to do something: I forbid you to go.2. To command against the doing or use of (something); prohibit: forbid smoking on trains.3. To have the effect of preventing; preclude: Discretion forbids a reply.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English forbidden, forbeden, from Old English forbodan. See bheudh- in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS:
for·biddance —NOUN for·bidder —NOUN
SYNONYMS:
forbid, ban1, enjoin, interdict, prohibit, proscribe These verbs mean to refuse to allow: laws that forbid speeding; banned smoking; was enjoined from broadcasting; interdict trafficking in drugs; rules that prohibit loitering; proscribed the importation of certain fruits.
f
r-b
d
, fôr-
d
d
odan. See bheudh- in Appendix I.
