 1 definition found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Afford \Af*ford"\ ([a^]f*f[=o]rd"), verb (used with an object) [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.
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.
His tuneful Muse affords the sweetest numbers.
--Addison.
The quiet lanes . . . afford calmer retreats.
--Gilpin.
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.
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.
The merchant can afford to trade for smaller
profits. --Hamilton.
He could afford to suffer
With those whom he saw suffer. --Wordsworth.
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