Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Afford
Af-ford′
(ăf-fōrd′)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Afforded
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Affording
.] [OE.
aforthen
, AS. geforðian
, forðian
, to further, accomplish, afford, fr. forð
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 ageHis 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
With those whom he saw suffer.
afford
to sufferWith those whom he saw suffer.
Wordsworth.
Webster 1828 Edition
Afford
AFFO'RD
,Verb.
T.
1.
To yield or produce as fruit, profit, issues, or result. Thus, the earth affords grain; a well affords water; trade affords profit; distilled liquors afford spirit.2.
To yield, grant or confer; as, a good life affords consolation in old age.3.
To be able to grant or sell with profit or without loss; as, A can afford wine at a less price than B.4.
To be able to expend without injury to one's estate; as, a man can afford a sum yearly in charity; or be able to bear expenses, or the price of the thing purchased; as, one man can afford to buy a farm, which another cannot.5.
To be able without loss or with profit.The merchant can afford to trade for smaller profits.