forefend

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • v forefend prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening "Let's avoid a confrontation","head off a confrontation","avert a strike"
    • ***
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • v. t Forefend To hinder; to fend off; to avert; to prevent the approach of; to forbid or prohibit. See Forfend. "God forefend it should ever be recorded in our history.""It would be a far better work . . . to forefend the cruelty."
    • ***
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • forefend See forfend.
    • ***

Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
OE. forfenden,; pref. for-, + fenden, to fend. See Fend (v. t.)

Usage

In literature:

There's no forefending them.
"John Barleycorn" by Jack London
God of Abraham forefend!
"Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ" by Lew Wallace
Forefend me from a man who weighs every expression with Scotch prudence.
"More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II" by Charles Darwin
Heaven forefend that I should groan for myself, or you for me!
"The Adventures of Harry Richmond, Complete" by George Meredith
Heaven forefend that she should come to the throne!
"Unknown to History" by Charlotte M. Yonge
Thou wilt be serving me still if again there be, which Heaven forefend, stricken fields in my cause or my son's.
"The Herd Boy and His Hermit" by Charlotte M. Yonge
Heaven forefend that I should stand in the way of thy princely favours.
"The Last Of The Barons, Complete" by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
But Heaven forefend I should speak of the reverend Prelate as one whose peril is imminent.
"Quentin Durward" by Sir Walter Scott
Everything to forefend against a day of stress or trial had been done, even to instilling courage into youthful hearts.
"Wells Brothers" by Andy Adams
Heaven forefend all the temptations that compass him in the modern Babylon.
"Eugene Field, A Study In Heredity And Contradictions" by Slason Thompson
***

In poetry:

'Forefend it, heaven!' Count Louis cried,
'And let the righteous plead:
My country is a willing bride,
Was never slave decreed.
"Archduchess Anne" by George Meredith
'Now Heaven forefend that ill grow worse:
Enough that ill be ill.
I know of a spell to draw May Carleton,
And bend her to your will.'
"The Priest's Heart" by Charles Kingsley

Related words