这里的-bear部分不是熊，而是忍耐；承担之意，前缀for-这里表away, opposite, completely，因此forbear就是to bear up（振作）one's feeling。类似，forgive原谅是to give up completely，forget忘记是to get(grasp in mind) away。bear and forbear一忍再忍。
英文词源
forbear (v.)
"to abstain," Old English forberan "bear up against, control one's feelings, abstain from, refrain; tolerate, endure" (past tense forbær, past participle forboren), from for- + beran "to bear" (see bear (v.)). Related: Forbearer; forbearing; forbore. Of similar formation are Old High German ferberen, Gothic frabairan "to endure."
实用例句
1. I could not forbear smiling.
我忍不住微笑.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. I forbear to go into details.
我不欲详述.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. He forbear from take any further action.
他克制自己不采取任何进一步的行动.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. We begged him to forbear.
我们恳求他忍耐.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. She should try to forbear from saying such cruel things.