forbidden

American  

[fer-bid-n, fawr-] / fərˈbɪd n, fɔr- /

verb

1. a past participle of forbid.

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adjective

1. not allowed; prohibited.

   a forbidden food in his religion.

2. Physics. involving a change in quantum numbers that is not permitted by the selection rules.

   forbidden transition.

forbidden British  

/ fəˈbɪdən /

adjective

1. not permitted by order or law

2. physics involving a change in quantum numbers that is not permitted by certain rules derived from quantum mechanics, esp rules for changes in the electrical dipole moment of the system

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Usage

It was formerly considered incorrect to talk of forbidding someone from doing something, but in modern usage either from or to can be used: he was forbidden from entering/to enter the building

Other Word Forms

• forbiddenly adverb
• forbiddenness noun
• preforbidden adjective
• self-forbidden adjective
• unforbidden adjective

Etymology

Origin of forbidden

First recorded in 1200–50, for the adjective

Example Sentences

Reporters are forbidden by Hezbollah from freely accessing the group's stronghold in Beirut's southern suburbs, although the organisation does organise press trips.

From Barron's

They also pledged a partnership with “no limits” and “no forbidden areas.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Horning said he grew up in a strict Seventh-day Adventist household in Northern California, forbidden from reading anything other than the Bible and approved nonfiction.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since 1996 Cambodian law has forbidden the unauthorised removal of antiquities, with a prison punishment of up to eight years.

From Barron's

Except in very restricted circumstances, slurry spreading is forbidden in Northern Ireland from 15 October to the following 31 January.

From BBC

Related Words

• outlawed
• prohibited