Obs. [OE. forhæfedness, f. forhæfed (pa. pple. of forhabban to restrain, f. FOR- pref.1 + habban to HAVE, hold) + -NESS.] Restraint, continence, abstinence.
a. 900. trans. Bæda’s Hist., IV. xxvi. [xxv]. (1890), 352. He … in micelre forhæfdnesse Drihtne þeowade.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 101. To michel forheuednesse [printed forhefednesse] on hete and on wete macað þene mon un-halne.
