Obs. [ad. AF. forbarrer, f. for-, FOR- pref.3 + barrer to bar.]
1. trans. To hinder, obstruct, prevent, prohibit (an action, event, etc.); to withhold (a thing).
a. 1300. Cursor M., 8213 (Cott.).
| It es na thing þat mai for-barr | |
| His will þat forwit es sua warr. |
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 105.
| Handyl þy synnes, and weyl hem euene, | |
| Elles forbarre þey þe blys of heune. |
13[?]. Coer de L., 3514.
| Say hym, it schal hym nought avayle, | |
| Though he forbarre our vytayle, | |
| Bred, and wyn, fysch, flesch, salmoun, and cungyr, | |
| Off us non schal dye for hungyr. |
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 66. Anticrist haþ forbarrid þe fredom of goddis lawe in schriftis, masse, syngynge, & oþere deuocions.
c. 1450. Life of St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 4546.
| Alle on strenthe þair thrist was sett, | |
| Oure batelle to forbarre. |
b. To bar, barricade, confine (a person); to obstruct (a way).
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 3333. Whi lete ȝe foulli ȝour fon · for-barre ȝou her-inne.
1435. Misyn, Fire of Love, II. v. 78. Þe wast wildernes þe way forbarris.
2. To shut out; to bar, deprive, or exclude (a person); esp. in Law (see quot. 1607). Const. of, from, and with double object.
[1292. Britton, IV. ii § 11. Si homage ne le forbarre.]
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 214.
| Tille ilk a lordyng suld ward & relefe falle, | |
| Bot tille þe kyng no þing, he was forbarred alle. |
1340. Hampole, Pr. Const., 957.
| A man at þe last forbard may be, | |
| Of þe blisful world þar al ioy es. |
c. 1430. Lydg., Bochas, VI. i. (1554), 146 b. He was forbarred by Marius of vitayle.
1574. trans. Littleton’s Tenures, 40 b. The Lords nor none other shalbee forbarred of theire villaines.
1586. J. Ferne, The Blazon of Gentrie, 103. It was prouidentlye foreseene, to forbarre euery person, from the wearing of that coller, except the Knight.
1671. F. Philipps, Reg. Necess., 387. The Commons did Petition the King, That none of his Subjects be fore-barred of their due debts.
absol. c. 1450. Life of St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 8284.
| Aftir Cnud regned Edwarde, | |
| Edeldrede sonn, naman forbarde. |
Hence Forbarring vbl. sb., the action of the vb.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., IV. iii. 432. Myche forbarring of synnes, which ellis wolde come forth.
1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 287. My sayd Lorde of Winchester … in forbarring of the Kyngis hyghwaye, lete drawe the chayne of the stulpis there.
