FORBEARING

forbearing, longanimous

(adjective) showing patient and unruffled self-control and restraint under adversity; slow to retaliate or express resentment; “seemly and forbearing...yet strong enough to resist aggression”; “was longanimous in the face of suffering”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology 1

Noun

forbearing (countable and uncountable, plural forbearings)

forbearance; restraint

Etymology 2

Adjective

forbearing (comparative more forbearing, superlative most forbearing)

Characterized by patience and indulgence; long-suffering

Verb

forbearing

present participle of forbear

Source: Wiktionary

For*bear"ing, a.

Definition: Disposed or accustomed to forbear; patient; long-suffering.

– For*bear"ing*ly, adv.

FORBEAR

For*bear", n. Etym: [See Fore, and Bear to produce.]

Definition: An ancestor; a forefather; -- usually in the plural. [Scot.] "Your forbears of old." Sir W. Scott.

For*bear", v. i. [imp. Forbore (Forbare (, [Obs.]); p. p. Forborne; p. pr. & vb. n. Forbearing.] Etym: [OE. forberen, AS. forberan; pref. for- + beran to bear. See Bear to support.]

1. To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay. Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear 1 Kinds xxii. 6.

2. To refuse; to decline; to give no heed. Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. Ezek. ii. 7.

3. To control one's self when provoked. The kindest and the happiest pair Will find occasion to forbear. Cowper. Both bear and forbear. Old Proverb.

For*bear", v. t.

1. To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from; to give up; as, to forbear the use of a word of doubdtful propriety. But let me that plunder forbear. Shenstone. The King In open battle or the tilting field Forbore his own advantage. Tennyson.

2. To treat with consideration or indulgence. Forbearing one another in love. Eph. iv. 2.

3. To cease from bearing. [Obs.] Whenas my womb her burden would forbear. Spenser.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition