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forfend

[ fawr-fend ]
/ fɔrˈfɛnd /
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See synonyms for forfend on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to defend, secure, or protect.
to fend off, avert, or prevent.
Archaic. forbid.

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Also forefend [fawr-fend, fohr-] /fɔrˈfɛnd, foʊr-/ .

Origin of forfend

First recorded in 1350–1400, forfend is from the Middle English word forfenden.See for-, fend

Words nearby forfend

forfaiting, Forfar, for fear of, forfeit, forfeiture, forfend, forfex, forficate, forfochen, for free, for fun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to forfend

forestall, preclude, counteract, hinder, prevent, rule out, avert, prohibit, cease, deter, impede, exclude, obviate, thwart, forbid, restrict, hamper, halt, avoid, restrain

Example sentences from the Web for forfend

British Dictionary definitions for forfend

forfend

forefend

/ (fɔːˈfɛnd) /

verb (tr)

US to protect or secure
obsolete to prohibit or prevent
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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