Pronunciation: ' s ə -f ə r
Function: verb
Inflected Form: suf · fered ; suf · fer · ing \ -f( ə -)ri ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English suffren, from Anglo-French suffrir, from Vulgar Latin *sufferire, from Latin sufferre, from sub- up + ferre to bear ― more at SUB- , BEAR
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 a : to submit to or be forced to endure < suffer martyrdom> b : to feel keenly : labor under < suffer thirst>
2 : UNDERGO , EXPERIENCE
3 : to put up with especially as inevitable or unavoidable
4 : to allow especially by reason of indifference <the eagle suffer s little birds to sing ― Shakespeare>
intransitive verb
1 : to endure death, pain, or distress
2 : to sustain loss or damage
3 : to be subject to disability or handicap
synonyms see BEAR
– suf · fer · able \ ' s ə -f( ə -)r ə -b ə l \ adjective
– suf · fer · able · ness noun
– suf · fer · ably \ -bl ē \ adverb
– suf · fer · er \ ' s ə -f ə r- ə r \ noun