Suffer \Suf"fer\, v. i.

1. To feel or undergo pain of body or mind; to bear what is inconvenient; as, we suffer from pain, sickness, or sorrow; we suffer with anxiety.

O well for him whose will is strong! He suffers, but he will not suffer long. --Tennyson.

2. To undergo punishment; specifically, to undergo the penalty of death.

The father was first condemned to suffer upon a day appointed, and the son afterwards the day following. --Clarendon.

3. To be injured; to sustain loss or damage.

Public business suffers by private infirmities. --Sir W. Temple.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Suffer \Suf"fer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suffered; p. pr. & vb. n. Suffering.]

[OE. suffren, soffren, OF. sufrir, sofrir, F. souffrir, (assumed) LL. sofferire, for L. sufferre; sub under + ferre to bear, akin to E. bear. See Bear to support.]

1. To feel, or endure, with pain, annoyance, etc.; to submit to with distress or grief; to undergo; as, to suffer pain of body, or grief of mind.

2. To endure or undergo without sinking; to support; to sustain; to bear up under.

Our spirit and strength entire, Strongly to suffer and support our pains. --Milton.

3. To undergo; to be affected by; to sustain; to experience; as, most substances suffer a change when long exposed to air and moisture; to suffer loss or damage.

If your more ponderous and settled project May suffer alteration. --Shak.

4. To allow; to permit; not to forbid or hinder; to tolerate.

Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. --Lev. xix. 17.

I suffer them to enter and possess. --Milton.

Syn: To permit; bear; endure; support; sustain; allow; admit; tolerate. See Permit.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)