forbearance
(fəˈbɛərəns)
[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 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, ii. iv. 19 Tut, tut, here is a mannerly forbearance. 1593 ― Rich. II, iv. i. 120 True Noblenesse would Learne him forbearance from so foule a Wrong. 1627–77 Feltham Resolves i. xxvi. 45 Bad, both in action, and forbearance! 1634 Canne Necess. Separ. (1849) 95, I might here instance Daniel's forbearance of the king's meats. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 19 ¶3 Without any..remarkable forbearance of the common amusements of young men. 1765 H. Walpole Otranto iv. (1798) 65 His forbearance to obey would be more alarming. 1825 T. Jefferson Autobiog. Wks. 1859 I. 39 Laws which rendered criminal..the forbearance of repairing to church. a 1871 Grote Eth. Fragm. i. (1876) 12 The various acts and forbearances which a man supposes to constitute the sum of his duty. |
2. Forbearing conduct or spirit; patient endurance under provocation; indulgence, lenity.
| 1599 Porter Angry Wom. Abingd. (Percy Soc.) 41 Commending the vertue of patience or forbearance. 1645 Bp. Hall Remedy Discontents 43 If their sufferings be just, my forbearances are mercifull. 1741 Middleton Cicero II. x. 412, I have now put an end to my forbearance of him. 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 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 385 You are forced (because of credit and forbearaunce) to give 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 In Debts and Forbearances, where Contract has not settled it between the Parties. 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. 1827 Hutton Course Math. I. 129 Interest is the premium or sum allowed for the loan, or forbearance of money. |
| Prov. 1599 Porter Angry Wom. Abingd. (Percy Soc.) 41 Forbearance is no quittance. 1667 Milton P.L. x. 53 He..soon shall find Forbearance no acquittance. |
† 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 Mulberry 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. |
| transf. (allusively). 1814 Scott Drama (1874) 220 Foote..was only anxious to extort forbearance-money from the timid. |