forefend Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
    stave off; avert; debar; avoid; deflect; obviate; head off; fend off; ward off; forfend.
    • Let's avoid a confrontation
    • head off a confrontation
    • avert a strike

WordNet

Fore*fend" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. forfenden; pref. for- + fenden to fend. See Fend, v. t.
Definitions
  1. To hinder; to fend off; to avert; to prevent the approach of; to forbid or prohibit. See Forfend.
    God forefend it should ever be recorded in our history. Landor.
    It would be a far better work . . . to forefend the cruelty. I. Taylor.

Webster 1913