v. Obs. For forms see BEAT v. [f. FOR- pref.1 + BEAT v.] a. trans. To beat severely; to cover with bruises or stripes. b. To beat down, overcome. c. pa. pple. only. Of a path: Well-beaten or trodden.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XXIII. 198. So elde and [hue] hit hadde · a-feynted and forbete.
c. 1420. Anturs of Arth., li. Alle blake was thayre brees, forbetun with brandis.
c. 1430. Hymns Virg. (1867), 29.
| Blyndid were hise faire yȝen, | |
| And al his fleisch bloodi for-bete. |
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, II. lxxii. (1869), 103. Thou art not the firste pilgrime ther haue come summe er now the the wey is al forbeten.
c. 1470. Hardyng, Chron., XXXIV. v.
| This king Gurgwyn his surname was Batrus, | |
| Came home agayn, after the voyage sore, | |
| All forbeten, so was he corageus, | |
| That from his corps his ghoste departed thore. |
