FORBID', pret. forbad pp. 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. Obs.
FORBID', 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.
The King James Bible has stood its ground for nearly 400 years. However, during that time the English language has changed, and with it the meanings of some words it used. Here are more than 6,500 words whose definitions have changed since 1611.Wikipedia
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