Forborne

/fərˈbɔrn/ verb

Definition

The past participle of 'forbear,' meaning to have refrained from or abstained from doing something.

Etymology

Past participle of 'forbear,' from Old English 'forboren.' Formed through irregular verb conjugation (forbear/forbore/forborne), similar to 'bear/bore/born.'

Kelly Says

The word 'forborne' is technically correct but sounds so archaic that most modern English speakers would say 'refrained' instead—it's a perfect example of how irregular verbs get abandoned when they sound too old-fashioned.

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