n.
Pronunciation: ' o ̇ -f ə r, ' ä-
Function: verb
Inflected Form: of · fered ; of · fer · ing \ -f( ə -)ri ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English offren, in sense 1, from Old English offrian, from Late Latin offerre, from Latin, to present, tender, from ob- toward + ferre to carry; in other senses, from Anglo-French offrir, from Latin offerre ― more at BEAR
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to present as an act of worship or devotion : SACRIFICE b : to utter (as a prayer) in devotion
2 a : to present for acceptance or rejection : TENDER <was offer ed a job> b : to present in order to satisfy a requirement <candidates for degrees may offer French as one of their foreign languages>
3 a : PROPOSE , SUGGEST < offer a solution to a problem> b : to declare one's readiness or willingness < offer ed to help me>
4 a : to try or begin to exert : PUT UP < offer ed stubborn resistance> b : THREATEN < offer ed to strike him with his cane>
5 : to make available : AFFORD especially : to place (merchandise) on sale
6 : to present in performance or exhibition
7 : to propose as payment : BID
intransitive verb
1 : to present something as an act of worship or devotion : SACRIFICE
2 archaic : to make an attempt
3 : to present itself
4 : to make a proposal (as of marriage)