I. ˈfərnish, ˈfə̄n-, ˈfəin-, -nēsh, chiefly in pres part -nəsh verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English furnisshen, from Middle French furniss-, fourniss-, forniss-, stem of furnir, fournir, fornir to complete, carry out, equip, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German frummen to carry out, complete, Old Saxon frummian; causative-denominatives from the noun represented by Old High German fruma advantage, profit — more at foremost
transitive verb
1.
a. : to provide or supply with what is needed, useful, or desirable : equip
'tis now but four o'clock. We have two hours to furnish us — Shakespeare
— usually used with following with
the wary collector sends for someone who can furnish him with … evidence of the authenticity of his picture — Clive Bell
fins … furnished with strong pointed spines — Richard Semon
b. : to supply (as a room or building) with furniture or appliances : equip for use
a luxuriously furnished reception room — John Pudney
2. obsolete : to fit out for work or active service
Bucephalus … being saddled and furnished … could endure none but Alexander — Edward Topsell
3. obsolete : ornament , decorate
I'll show thee some attires and have thy counsel which is the best to furnish me tomorrow — Shakespeare
4. : to make a gift of (something needed or desirable) : contribute , afford , yield
the southeast trade winds and the tropical foliage furnish alleviating coolness — H.A.Chippendale
intransitive verb
1. : to equip living quarters with furniture and appliances
the modern young couple about to furnish — R.D.Benn
2. chiefly dialect Britain : to gain strength and weight : become fully developed : mature: as
a. of a horse : to gain strength and stamina
b. : to have a fully developed comb, hackle, saddle, and tail
in White Leghorns … there is the type which furnishes slowly, the comb being slow in the growing and the feathering long — Australasian
Synonyms:
equip , outfit , appoint , arm , accouter : furnish is a general term indicating supplying and providing; it may apply to anything supplied
music was furnished by the United States Army Band — American Guide Series: Oregon
such education as the local schools could furnish — G.F.Smythe
but is used typically with tangible more or less permanent articles for use
to furnish a room
equip , likewise wide in application
equip oneself to practice law
applies often to the provision of specific things making for greater convenience or utility
the house is three stories high, and is equipped with a conservatory — American Guide Series: New Jersey
delightful picnic spots along the way, equipped with outdoor fireplaces, lunch tables, and springwater — American Guide Series: Vermont
outfit suggests provision of various things needed for a journey, expedition, or occasion
it took several days to outfit me for my journey to Washington — Willa Cather
an English ship outfitted by Raleigh arrived with supplies and reinforcements — American Guide Series: North Carolina
appoint may suggest elegant equipment; the word is less used today in this sense than previously
the interior has been appointed with pieces associated with the Colonial period — American Guide Series: New York City
it has beautifully appointed lounges, cafeteria, dining room, meeting rooms — American Guide Series: Michigan
arm often applies to supplying or furnishing that which adds to strength or security, to means of defense or offense
ever youthful in ardor, and armed with the shining sword of truth, he fought and killed many ogres who oppressed the children of the light — M.R.Cohen
armed with wide powers and unlimited resources — T.D.McCormick
accouter indicates the providing of dress, personal equipment, and weapons for combat or as if for combat
lying hidden in her bosom was a loaded pistol. Lying hidden at her waist was a sharpened dagger. Thus accoutered … Madame Defarge took her way — Charles Dickens
the fully accoutered members of a Wild West show — Saturday Review
Synonym: see in addition provide .
II. noun
( -es )
1. : an act or instance of furnishing
2. : something furnished: as
a. : the raw materials placed in a beater for making paper pulp
b. South : groceries and supplies provided on credit to a plantation tenant by the owner