Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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. 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.