səˈfīs sometimes -īz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English suffisen, sufficen, from Middle French suffis-, stem of suffire, from Latin sufficere to put under or in place of, provide, suffice, from sub- under, in place of + -ficere (from facere to do, make) — more at sub- , do
intransitive verb
1. : to be enough : to meet or satisfy a need : to be adequate or sufficient
a hint will suffice
ten bombs sufficed to destroy the fort
— often used with an impersonal it
suffice it that without leisure there is no liberty — G.B.Shaw
2. : to measure up to a standard : satisfy all requirements : be competent, capable, equal to a task
what words or tongue of seraph can suffice — John Milton
3. obsolete : to permit within fixed limits : allow or admit of something
transitive verb
1. : to be enough for (a person) : give a sufficiency to : satisfy the needs or appetite of
education that sufficed our forefathers
enough food to suffice an army
2. : to serve to satisfy (a want, appetite) : appease
this suffices present needs
3. obsolete
a. : to be capable of
b. : supply adequately : replenish , furnish
the power appeased, with winds sufficed the sail — John Dryden