Main Entry:

suf·fer

Pronunciation:

\ˈsə-fər\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

suf·fered; suf·fer·ing \-f(ə-)riŋ\

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 verb1 a: to submit to or be forced to endure <suffer martyrdom> b: to feel keenly : labor under <suffer thirst>2: undergo, experience3: to put up with especially as inevitable or unavoidable4: to allow especially by reason of indifference <the eagle suffers little birds to sing — Shakespeare>intransitive verb1: to endure death, pain, or distress2: to sustain loss or damage3: to be subject to disability or handicap

synonyms see bear

— suf·fer·able \ˈsə-f(ə-)rə-bəl\ adjective

— suf·fer·able·ness noun

— suf·fer·ably \-blē\ adverb

— suf·fer·er \ˈsə-fər-ər\ noun