/euh fawrd", euh fohrd"/ , v.t.
1. to be able to do, manage, or bear without serious consequence or adverse effect: The country can't afford another drought.
2. to be able to meet the expense of; have or be able to spare the price of: Can we afford a trip to Europe this year? The city can easily afford to repair the street.
3. to be able to give or spare: He can't afford the loss of a day.
4. to furnish; supply: The transaction afforded him a good profit.
5. to be capable of yielding or providing: The records afford no explanation.
6. to give or confer upon: to afford great pleasure to someone.
[ bef. 1050; ME aforthen, iforthen, OE geforthian to further, accomplish, equiv. to ge- Y- + forth FORTH + -ian inf. suffix ]