Of"fer (?), n. [Cf. F. offre, fr. offrir to
offer, fr. L. offerre. See Offer, v. t.]
1.
The act of offering, bringing forward, proposing, or bidding; a proffer; a first advance. "This offer comes from mercy." Shak.
2. That which is
offered or brought forward; a proposal to
be accepted or rejected; a sum offered; a bid.
When
offers are disdained, and love denied.
Pope. 3. Attempt; endeavor; essay; as, he
made an offer to catch the ball. "Some offer and attempt." South.
Of"fer , v. i. 1. To
present itself; to be at hand.
The
occasion offers, and
the youth
complies.
Dryden. 2. To make an attempt; to make an essay
or a trial;
-- used with at. "Without offering at any other
remedy." Swift.
He would be offering at the shepherd's voice.
L'Estrange. I will not offer at that I can not master.
Bacon.
Of"fer (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Offered (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Offering.]
[OE. offren, AS. offrian to sacrifice, fr. L.
offerre; ob (see
OB-) + ferre to bear, bring. The English word was influenced by F. offrir to offer, of the
same origin. See 1st Bear.]
1. To present, as an act of worship; to immolate; to sacrifice; to present in prayer or devotion; -- often with up.
Thou shalt
offer every day a bullock
for a sin offering for atonement.
Ex.
xxix. 36. A holy priesthood to offer up spiritual
sacrifices.
1 Pet. ii. 5.
2. To bring to or before; to hold out to; to present for acceptance or rejection; as, to offer a present, or a
bribe; to offer one's
self in marriage.
I offer thee three things.
2 Sam. xxiv. 12. 3.
To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to suggest; as, to offer an opinion. With the infinitive as an objective: To make an offer; to declare one's
willingness; as, he offered to help me.
4. To attempt; to undertake.
All that offer to defend him.
Shak. 5. To bid, as a price, reward, or wages; as,
to offer a guinea for
a ring; to
offer a salary or reward.
6. To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive way; to threaten; as, to offer violence, attack, etc.
Syn. -- To propose; propound; move; proffer; tender; sacrifice; immolate.
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