Forebear

Forebear is a noun meaning an ancestor, specifically someone from whom a person is descended. It is most often used in genealogical or historical contexts to denote earlier generations within a family or lineage. The plural form forebears is common, as in “my forebears immigrated here.” Beyond direct genealogical use, forebear can also refer to a predecessor or antecedent of a person, idea, object, or institution—e.g., “a forebear of modern engineering.”

Etymology and usage notes: the word originates in Old and Middle English, formed from elements meaning “before” and “bearing” or “carrying,” and has a long-standing place in literary and formal prose. In contemporary writing, forebear is somewhat elevated or archaizing compared to the everyday term ancestor, and is more likely to appear in historical narratives, family histories, or stylistic prose.

Relation to similar terms: forebear is synonymous with ancestor, progenitor, or predecessor in many contexts, though the exact nuance can vary. Forebear should not be confused with forbear, a related but distinct word meaning to refrain from doing something, which originates from the same general roots but has a different sense and usage.