forbisen

Middle English

Etymology

From Old English forebȳsen (“example”), from fore- + bȳsen (“model, exemplar, pattern, parable, command”), from Proto-Germanic *būsniz (“command, precept”), from Proto-Germanic *beudaną (“to ask, beg”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewdʰ- (“to be awake, perceive fully”). Cognate with Old Saxon am-busan (“a command, precept”), Gothic 𐌰𐌽𐌰𐌱𐌿𐍃𐌽𐍃 (anabūsns, “a command”), Old Norse býsn (“wonder, premonition”). More at bid.

Noun

forbisen (plural forbisens)

1. an example or or model (to be imitated); a precedent
2. a parable or fable; a proverb

Synonyms

• bispel