[f. as prec. -ANCE.
Originally (like abearance) a legal term (sense 3), which accounts for the hybrid formation.]
1. The action or habit of forbearing, dispensing with, refraining or abstaining from (some action or thing). Const. of, from, to with inf.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., II. iv. 19.
| Plant. Tut, tut, here is a mannerly forbearance. | |
| Ibid. (1593), Rich. II., IV. i. 120. | |
| True Noblenesse would | |
| Learne him forbearance from so foule a Wrong. |
1627–77. Feltham, Resolves, I. xxvi. 45. Uncomfortable constitution of man; that canst not but be bad, both in action, and forbearance!
1634. Canne, Necess. Separ. (1849), 95. I might here instance Daniel’s forbearance of the king’s meats because they were defiled by idolatry.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 19, 22 May, ¶ 3. Distinguished equally for his successful progress as well through the thorny mazes of science, as the flowery path of politer literature, without any strict confinement to hours of study, or remarkable forbearance of the common amusements of young men.
1765. H. Walpole, Otranto, iv. (1798), 65. Yet apprehensive that his forbearance to obey would be more alarming, he repeated in a faltering and low voice the following lines:
| Where’er a casque that suits this sword is found, | |
| With perils is thy daughter compass’d round: | |
| Alfonso’s blood alone can save the maid, | |
| And quiet a long-restless prince’s shade. |
1825. T. Jefferson, Autobiog., Wks. 1859, I. 39. We prevailed so far only, as to repeal the laws which rendered criminal the maintainance of any religious opinions, the forbearance of repairing to church, or the exercise of any mode of worship.
a. 1871. Grote, Eth. Fragm., i. (1876), 12. In most cases, the various acts and forbearances which a man supposes to constitute the sum of his duty, especially in a rude stage of civilization, are acts and forbearances towards other individuals.
2. Forbearing conduct or spirit; patient endurance under provocation; indulgence, lenity.
1599. Porter, Angry Wom. Abingt. (Percy Soc.), 41. You haue most learnedly prouerbde it, commending the vertue of patience or forbearance, but yet, you knowe, forbearance is no quittance.
1645. Bp. Hall, Remedy Discontents, 43. If their sufferings be just, my forbearances are mercifull; my provisions, to theirs, liberall.
1741. C. Middleton, Cicero, II. x. 412. I have now put an end to my forbearance of him; for he began to be so insolent, that he looked upon no man as free.
1831. Brewster, Newton (1855), II. xxiv. 314. The man of the world treats the institutions of religion with more respect and forbearance.
3. Abstinence from enforcing what is due, esp. the payment of a debt.
1576. A. Fleming, A Panoplie of Epistles, 385. If you haue not monie for present and readie payment, whereby you are forced (because of credit and forbearaunce) to giue a greater price.
1590. Recorde, etc., Gr. Arts (1640), 495. What is wonne or lost in the 100 pound forbearance for 12 moneths.
1691. Locke, Lower. Interest, Wks. 1727, II. 31. It is necessary that there should be a stated Rate of Interest, that in Debts and Forbearances, where Contract has not settled it between the Parties, the Law might give a Rule, and Courts of Judicature might know what Damages to allow.
1773. Act 13 Geo. III., c. 63 § 30. No Subject … shall … take … above the Value of twelve Pounds for the Forbearance of one hundred Pounds for a Year.
1817. Hutton, Course Math., I. 129. Interest is the premium or sum allowed for the loan, or forbearance of money.
Prov.
1599. Porter, Angry Wom. Abingt. (Percy Soc.), 41. You haue most learnedly prouerbde it, commending the vertue of patience or forbearance, but yet, you knowe, forbearance is no quittance.
1667. Milton, P. L., X. 52.
| He … soon shall find | |
| Forbearance no acquittance ere day end. |
† 4. Comb.: forbearance money, money paid to a creditor (in addition to the interest) for allowing the repayment of a loan to be deferred beyond the stipulated time.
1668. Sedley, Mulb. Gard., II. ii.
| Thou | |
| And I might live comfortably on the forbearance | |
| Money, and let the Interest run on. |
1751. E. Haywood, Betsy Thoughtless, II. xiv. 155. It must be that she has kept it [the penalty of a bond] off by large interest, and forbearance-money, and who knows how far my credit may be endangered for the raising of it?.
transf. (allusively).
1814. Scott, Drama (1874), 220. Foote was an unprincipled satirist; and while he affected to be the terror of vice and folly, was only anxious to extort forbearance-money from the timid.
