King James Bible Dictionary

FORBID', verb transitive preterit tense forbad; participle passive forbid forbidden. Literally, to bid or command against. Hence,

1. To prohibit; to interdict; to command to forbear or not to do. The laws of God forbid us to swear. Good manners also forbid us to use profane language. All servile labor and idle amusements on the sabbath are forbidden.

2. To command not to enter; as, I have forbid him my house or presence. This phrase seems to be elliptical; to forbid from entering or approaching.

3. To oppose; to hinder; to obstruct. An impassable river forbids the approach of the army.

A blaze of glory that forbids the sight.

4. To accurse; to blast. obsolete

FORBID', verb intransitive To utter a prohibition; but in the intransitive form, there is always an ellipsis. I would go, but my state of health forbids, that is, forbids me to go, or my going.

FORBID', 'DEN, participle passive

1. Prohibited; as the forbidden fruit.

2. Hindered; obstructed.

FORBID'DANCE, noun Prohibition; command or edict against a thing. [Little used.]

FORBID'DENLY, adverb In an unlawful manner.

FORBID'DENNESS, noun A state of being prohibited. [Not used.]

FORBID'DER, noun He or that which forbids or enacts a prohibition.

FORBID'DING, participle present tense

1. Prohibiting; hindering.

2. adjective Repelling approach; repulsive; raising abhorrence, aversion or dislike; disagreeable; as a forbidding aspect; a forbidding formality; a forbidding air.

FORBID'DING, noun Hindrance; opposition.