- Afforded
- Afford Af*ford" ([a^]f*f[=o]rd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Afforded}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Affording}.] [OE. aforthen, AS.
gefor[eth]ian, for[eth]ian, to further, accomplish, afford,
fr. for[eth] forth, forward. The prefix ge- has no well
defined sense. See {Forth}.]
1. To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural
result, fruit, or issue; as, grapes afford wine; olives
afford oil; the earth affords fruit; the sea affords an
abundant supply of fish.
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2. To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish; as, a good life affords consolation in old age. [1913 Webster]
His tuneful Muse affords the sweetest numbers. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
The quiet lanes . . . afford calmer retreats. --Gilpin. [1913 Webster]
3. To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury; as, A affords his goods cheaper than B; a man can afford a sum yearly in charity. [1913 Webster]
4. To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; -- with an auxiliary, as can, could, might, etc.; to be able or rich enough. [1913 Webster]
The merchant can afford to trade for smaller profits. --Hamilton. [1913 Webster]
He could afford to suffer With those whom he saw suffer. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
