forbise

English - English

Definition of forbise in English English dictionary

To furnish with examples

To give as an example

Etymology

() From Middle English forbise, forbisen (vb.), from earlier forbisenen (vb.), from forbisen (“example”, noun), from Old English forebȳsen (“example”), from fore- + bȳsen (“model, exemplar, pattern, parable, command”), from Proto-Germanic *būsniz (“command, precept”), from Proto-Germanic base *beudanan (“to ask, beg”), from Proto-Indo-European *bheudh- (“to be awake, perceive fully”). Cognate with Old Saxon am-busan (“a command, precept”), Gothic (ana-busns, “a command”), Old Norse bȳsn (“wonder, premonition”). More at bid.