FORFEND

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does forfend mean? 

• FORFEND (verb)
  The verb FORFEND has 1 sense:

1. prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening

  Familiarity information: FORFEND used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FORFEND (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they forfend    ... he / she / it forfends   
Past simple: forfended   
Past participle: forfended   
-ing form: forfending   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

avert; avoid; debar; deflect; fend off; forefend; forfend; head off; obviate; stave off; ward off

Context example:

avert a strike

Hypernyms (to "forfend" is one way to...):

forbid; foreclose; forestall; preclude; prevent (keep from happening or arising; make impossible)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

 Context examples 

“Heaven forfend that such a thing should come to pass!” said Alleyne.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“May heaven forfend!” cried the student hastily.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The prior, however, hath so ordered that while he holds this cross no man may lay hand upon him without the ban of church, which heaven forfend from me or mine.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)