1. forbid(v = verb.communication) disallow, interdict, nix, prohibit, proscribe, veto - command against; "I forbid you to call me late at night"; "Mother vetoed the trip to the chocolate store"; "Dad nixed our plans"
is one way to command, require
Antonym: permit
Derived forms noun forbiddance2, noun forbiddance1, noun forbidding1
Sample sentences:
Sam and Sue forbid the movie
2. forbid(v = verb.social) foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent - keep from happening or arising; make impossible; "My sense of tact forbids an honest answer"; "Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project"
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
1. To command against, or contrary to; to prohibit; to interdict. [1913 Webster]
"More than I have said . . .
The leisure and enforcement of the time
Forbids to dwell upon." [1913 Webster]
2. To deny, exclude from, or warn off, by express command; to command not to enter. [1913 Webster]
"Have I not forbid her my house?" [1913 Webster]
3. To oppose, hinder, or prevent, as if by an effectual command; as, an impassable river forbids the approach of the army. [1913 Webster]
"A blaze of glory that forbids the sight." [1913 Webster]
4. To accurse; to blast. [1913 Webster]
"He shall live a man forbid." [1913 Webster]
5. To defy; to challenge. L. Andrews.
To utter a prohibition; to prevent; to hinder. Milton. [1913 Webster]
forbid, v.tr. (forbidding; past forbade or forbad; past part. forbidden)
1 (foll. by to + infin.) order not (I forbid you to go).
2 refuse to allow (a thing, or a person to have a thing) (I forbid it; was forbidden any wine).
3 refuse a person entry to (the gardens are forbidden to children).
Idiom:
forbidden degrees see DEGREE. forbidden fruit something desired or enjoyed all the more because not allowed. God forbid! may it not happen!
Etymology:
OE forbeodan (as FOR-, BID)
VB prohibit, inhibit, forbid, put one's veto upon, disallow, enjoin, ban, outlaw, taboo, proscribe, estop, bar, debar, forefend, keep in, keep within bounds, restrain, cohibit, withhold, limit, circumscribe, clip the wings of, restrict, interdict, taboo, put under an interdiction, place under an interdiction, put under the ban, place under the ban, proscribe, exclude, shut out, shut the door, bolt the door, show the door, warn off, dash the cup from one's lips, forbid the banns.