Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “forbearing” come from?

Forbearing derives from English forbear, which combines English fore- with English bear, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *beran meaning to carry or endure.

forbearing (English): forbearance; restraint; Characterized by patience...

Definitions

  1. forbearance; restraint; Characterized by patience...

Ancestry of “forbearing”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1English-ingUsed to form gerunds, a type of verbal nouns,...
2Old English-ingForming nouns from verbs, indicating action,...
3Old English-tūn—
4Old Englishtūnenclosure, yard; place; dwelling
5Proto-West Germanictūnfence
6Proto-Germanictūnąfence; enclosure
7Gaulishdunumfort; hill, hillfort
8Proto-Celticdūnomstronghold, rampart
9Proto-Indo-Europeandʰewh₂-smoke; mist, haze

Words derived from “forbearing”

  • forbearingly
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰewh₂- →