forfend
/fɔːˈfɛnd
/verb [with object]
1 archaic Avert or prevent (something evil or unpleasant): ‘The fiend forfend’ said the grim Earl...
- This forfends what one may call the natural development of the natural man so overlaid with social man.
- Brenda forfended this possibility by isolating groups of sculptures inside a designated pathway: they stood aloof from touch save by imagination.
- Thus a tradition died, and thus the Masters and Wardens of today rejoice in a happy immunity, all unknowing of the danger their predecessors forfended.
2 (also forefend) US Protect (something) by precautionary measures: the sacrifice of Mississippi was forfended against even the treason of Wilkinson...
- Deliberation is worth gold and stocks, and it forefends against sorrow.
- The appellant, while admitting that the people may protect themselves against abuses of the freedom of speech safeguarded by the Fourteenth Amendment by prohibiting incitement to violence and crime insists that legislative regulation may not go beyond measures forefending against ‘clear and present danger’ of the use of force against the state.
Phrases
Heaven (or God) forfend
Rhymes
- music paper
- music plate
- music power
- music rest
- music roll
- music room
- music sheet
- music shell
- music shop
- music speech
- music stand
- music stick
- music stool
- music store
- music theatre
- music theory
- music therapist
- music therapy
- music to one's ears
- music track
- music type
- music video
- music volute
- music while you work
- music wire