Af-fōrd’, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. AFFORDED; p. pr. & vb. n. AFFORDING.] [Originally the Eng. p. p. of Fr. afforer, affeurer, Pr. aforar, L. Lat. afforare, aforare, to estimate, value; to make laws, judge; ad and forum, court. Cf. AFFEER.]
Sense 1. To 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.
Sense 2. To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; as, a good life affords consolation in old age.
His tuneful Muse affords the sweetest numbers. Addison.
The quiet lanes of Surry . . . afford calmer retreat on every side. Gilpin.
Sense 3. To grant, sell, or expend, with profit or without loss, owing to one’s circumstances; as, A can afford wine at a less price than B; a man can afford a sum yearly in charity; he can afford his son a liberal allowance; one man can afford to buy a farm which another can not.
The merchant can afford to trade for smaller profits. Hamilton.
Synonyms—To give; impart; yield; produce.