Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

forfend

/fɔɹˈfɛnd/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.56 in modern English

Syllables: for-fend
IPA: /fɔɹˈfɛnd/

14

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To prohibit; to forbid; to avert.

Archaic

Example Sentences

"Clown: … You would know where Lord Anthonie is? I perceiue you. Shall I ſay he is in yond farme houſe? I deceiue you. Shall I tell you this wine is for him? the gods forfend, and ſo I end. Go fellow fighters theres a bob for ye."
"2008, Lew, short circuit operators, zbadnYZNaK6VM1zanZ2dnUVZ_r7inZ2d@comcast.com What? Multi-posting? Usenet Gods forfend!"
"People have long given thought to the causes of danger and how they might be forfended."

Etymology

From Middle English forfenden (“to ward off, protect, prohibit”), equivalent to for- + fend.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Prefix: for
Root: forfenden

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /fɔɹˈfɛnd/
British English: /fɔːˈfɛnd/

Usage

Archaic

Inflected Forms

forfends (present, singular) forfending (participle, present) forfended (participle, past) forfended (past)

Phrases

God forfend

Synonyms

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

Rhymes With

end friend send spend weekend recommend tend attend tight end trend defend extend

Questions

How do you pronounce forfend?: The recorded pronunciation is /fɔɹˈfɛnd/.
What does forfend mean?: To prohibit; to forbid; to avert.
Where does forfend come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce forfend

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “forfend”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/fɔɹˈfɛnd/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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