Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡FORBEAR, v. Pa.t. †forboore (Abd. after 1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shep. MS. l. 1305).

Sc. usages, previously obs. in Eng.:

‡1. To endure, have patience with (m.Lth.¹ 1953).Sc. 1824 Scott St Ronan's W. viii.:
I can scarce forbear the fellow.

†2. To let alone, abstain from, shun.ne.Sc. 1714 R. Smith Poems 94:
Who snuff-mills steals, would not an Ox forbear.Sc. 1822 Scott F. Nigel xxv.:
I know all his haunts, and he cannot forbear them long.