Suffer
Pronunciation
- RP IPA: /ˈsʌfə/
- GenAm IPA: /ˈsʌfɚ/
- Rhymes: -ÊŒfÉ™(r)
Origin
From Middle English suffren, from Anglo-Norman suffrir, from Latin suffero ("to offer, hold up, bear, suffer"), from sub- ("up, under") + ferÅ ("I carry"), from Proto-Indo-European *bÊ°er- ("to bear, carry").
Full definition of suffer
Verb
- (intransitive) To undergo hardship.
- (intransitive) To feel pain.At least he didn't suffer when he died in the car crash.
- (intransitive, construed with from) To have a disease or condition.He's suffering from the flu this week.
- (intransitive) To become worse.If you keep partying like this, your school-work will suffer.
- (transitive) To endure, undergo.
- ShakespeareIf your more ponderous and settled project
May suffer alteration. - 2013-07-06, The rise of smart beta, Investors face a quandary. Cash offers a return of virtually zero in many developed countries; government-bond yields may have risen in recent weeks but they are still unattractive. Equities have suffered two big bear markets since 2000 and are wobbling again. It is hardly surprising that pension funds, insurers and endowments are searching for new sources of return.
- I've been suffering your insults for years; we hope you never have to suffer the same pain
- (transitive, archaic) To allow.
- The U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 203:"Employ" includes to suffer or permit to work.
- Section 31-36 of the Code of Montgomery County, Maryland:...it shall be unlawful for any person to cause, allow, permit or suffer any vehicle to be parked ... beyond the period of time established by the duration of the parking meter...
- KJV, Matthew 19:14But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.