FORFEND

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

(verb) prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; “Let’s avoid a confrontation”; “head off a confrontation”; “avert a strike”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

forfend (third-person singular simple present forfends, present participle forfending, simple past and past participle forfended)

(dated) To prohibit; to forbid; to avert.

Usage notes

• This word is dated and becoming obsolete. Mostly used now in set expressions such as heaven forfend.

Anagrams

• nroffed

Source: Wiktionary

For*fend", v. t. Etym: [Pref. for- + fend. See Forewend.]

Definition: To prohibit; to forbid; to avert. [Archaic] Which peril heaven forefend! Shak.

Note: This is etymologically the preferable spelling.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition