from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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2. To endure or undergo without sinking; to support; to
sustain; to bear up under.
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Our spirit and strength entire,
Strongly to suffer and support our pains. --Milton.
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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.
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If your more ponderous and settled project
May suffer alteration. --Shak.
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4. To allow; to permit; not to forbid or hinder; to tolerate.
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Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not
suffer sin upon him. --Lev. xix.
17.
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I suffer them to enter and possess. --Milton.
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Syn: To permit; bear; endure; support; sustain; allow; admit;
tolerate. See {Permit}.
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