Af*ford" (ăf*fōrd"), v. 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 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.
Hear it pronounced