Third person singular present tense of forbear; or plural noun form meaning ancestors (from different etymology).
Verb: from 'forbear' with '-s' (third person singular). Noun: from Middle English 'forbear,' an earlier form meaning 'forefather,' from 'fore-' + 'bear.'
This word is a perfect example of how English homophones can have completely different origins—the 'forbears' (restrains) comes from enduring, while 'forbears' (ancestors) comes from 'fore' (before) + 'bears' (genitors).
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