of´fer|er

of|fer «AWF uhr, OF-», verb, noun.

–v.t.

1. a) to hold out to be taken or refused; put forward; present: »

to offer one's hand, to offer a gift. They offered us their help. Bets were freely offered and taken regarding the result (Bret Harte). Mr. Arbuton has offered himself to Kitty (William Dean Howells).

b) to present for sale: »

to offer suits at reduced prices.

c) to bid as a price: »

He offered twenty dollars for our old stove.

2. to be willing if another approves: »

They offered to help us. Shaw offered to accompany him (Francis Parkman).

3. to bring forth for consideration; propose; suggest; advance: »

She offered a few ideas to improve the plan.

4. to present in worship or devotion: »

to offer prayers, to offer sacrifices.

5. to give; show: »

The thieves offered no resistance to the policemen. That hath enrag'd him on, to offer strokes (Shakespeare).

6. to show intention; attempt; try: »

He did not offer to hit back. When they offered to depart he entreated their stay (Samuel Johnson).

SYNONYM(S): endeavor.

7. to attempt to inflict, deal, or bring to bear (violence or injury of any kind).

8. to present to sight or notice: »

The scene…offered to his view (James Fenimore Cooper).

–v.i.

1. to present itsef; occur: »

I will come if the opportunity offers.

2. to make an offer or proposal.

3. to make an offer of marriage: »

Miss Pole had a cousin…who had offered to Miss Matty long ago (Elizabeth C. Gaskell).

4. to present a sacrifice or offering as an act of worship.

5. Archaic. to make an attempt (at).

–n.

1. the act of offering: »

an offer to sing, an offer of money, an offer of marriage, an offer of $25,000 for a house.

2. a thing that is offered.

3. an attempt or show of intention: »

He had no sooner spoke these words, but he made an offer of throwing himself into the water (Sir Richard Steele).

4. Law. a proposal from one person to another which, if accepted, will become a contract.

╂[Old English offrian < Latin offerre < ob- to + ferre bring]

–of´fer|er, noun.

Synonym Study transitive verb. 1a Offer, proffer, tender mean to hold out something to someone to be accepted. Offer is the common word: »

She offered him coffee.

Proffer is a literary word, and usually suggests offering with warmth, courtesy, or earnest sincerity: »

He refused the proffered hospitality.

Tender is a formal word, and usually applies to an obligation or politeness rather than to an object: »

I tendered my apologies.