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Fine Dictionary

forefend

WordNet
  1. (v) forefend
    prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening "Let's avoid a confrontation","head off a confrontation","avert a strike"
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
  1. Forefend
    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.", "It would be a far better work . . . to forefend the cruelty."
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
  1. forefend
    See forfend.
Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary OE. forfenden,; pref. for-, + fenden, to fend. See Fend (v. t.)

Usage in literature

There's no forefending them. "John Barleycorn" by Jack London

God of Abraham forefend! "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ" by Lew Wallace

Forefend me from a man who weighs every expression with Scotch prudence. "More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II" by Charles Darwin

Heaven forefend that I should groan for myself, or you for me! "The Adventures of Harry Richmond, Complete" by George Meredith

Heaven forefend that she should come to the throne! "Unknown to History" by Charlotte M. Yonge

Thou wilt be serving me still if again there be, which Heaven forefend, stricken fields in my cause or my son's. "The Herd Boy and His Hermit" by Charlotte M. Yonge

Heaven forefend that I should stand in the way of thy princely favours. "The Last Of The Barons, Complete" by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

But Heaven forefend I should speak of the reverend Prelate as one whose peril is imminent. "Quentin Durward" by Sir Walter Scott

Everything to forefend against a day of stress or trial had been done, even to instilling courage into youthful hearts. "Wells Brothers" by Andy Adams

Heaven forefend all the temptations that compass him in the modern Babylon. "Eugene Field, A Study In Heredity And Contradictions" by Slason Thompson

Usage in poetry
'Forefend it, heaven!' Count Louis cried,
'And let the righteous plead:
My country is a willing bride,
Was never slave decreed.
"Archduchess Anne" by George Meredith Author object (1834)
'Now Heaven forefend that ill grow worse:
Enough that ill be ill.
I know of a spell to draw May Carleton,
And bend her to your will.'
"The Priest's Heart" by Charles Kingsley Author object (101)