[suf.fer] vb suf.fered ; suf.fer.ing [ME suffren, fr. OF souffrir, fr. (assumed) VL sufferire, fr. L sufferre, fr. sub- up + ferre to bear--more at sub-, bear] vt (13c) 1 a: to submit to or be forced to endure "~ martyrdom" b: to feel keenly: labor under "~ thirst"
2: undergo, experience
3: to put up with esp. as inevitable or unavoidable
4: to allow esp. by reason of indifference "the eagle ~s little birds to sing --Shak." ~ vi 1: to endure death, pain, or distress
2: to sustain loss or damage
3: to be subject to disability or handicap syn see bear -- suf.fer.able adj -- suf.fer.able.ness n -- suf.fer.ably adv -- suf.fer.er n