1. (n.) An ancestor; a forefather; -- usually in the plural.

2. (v. i.) To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.

3. (v. i.) To refuse; to decline; to give no heed.

4. (v. i.) To control one's self when provoked.

5. (v. t.) To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from; to give up; as, to forbear the use of a word of doubtful propriety.

6. (v. t.) To treat with consideration or indulgence.

7. (v. t.) To cease from bearing.

abstain abstain from avoid be patient bear bear with composure bridle carry on carry through cease curb desist dispense with do without endure escape eschew evade forgive forgo give quarter have mercy upon have pity hold hold aloof from hold back hold off inhibit keep keep back keep from keep in hand let alone let go by let up on melt never touch not touch not use pardon pass up refrain refrain from relax relent reprieve reserve restrain sacrifice save shun spare stand aloof from suffer take pity on thaw tolerate wait wait it out waive withhold