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suffer definition

suf·fer (sufər)

transitive verb

  1. to undergo (something painful or unpleasant, as injury, grief, a loss, etc.); be afflicted with
  2. to undergo or experience (any process, esp. change)
  3. to allow; permit; tolerate
  4. to bear up under; endure: now chiefly in negative constructions they could not suffer opposition

Etymology: ME suffren < Anglo-Fr suffrir < OFr sofrir < VL *sufferire, for L sufferre, to undergo, endure < sub-, sub- + ferre, to bear

intransitive verb

  1. to experience pain, harm, loss, a penalty, etc.
  2. to be at a disadvantage my grades suffer by comparison with yours
  3. Archaic to tolerate or endure evil, injury, etc.

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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