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)
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