forbid

/fər-ˈbid/

Middle English forbidden, from Old English forbēodan, from for- + bēodan to bid

verb

  1. to proscribe from or as if from the position of one in authority : command, against

  2. to hinder or prevent as if by an effectual command

The law forbids stores to sell liquor to minors.

forbid prohibit interdict inhibit mean to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done. forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected. prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

adjective

  1. accursed

he shall live a man forbid

idiom

  1. —used in speech to say that one hopes a bad thing will not happen