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Affordance
afford (afford), v. t.(imp. p. pr. ian, foreian, to further, accomplish, afford,
fr. fore forth, forward. The prefix ge- has no well
defined sense. See Forth.) 1. To give forth; to
supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue; as,
grapes afford wine; olives afford oil; the earth
affords fruit; the sea affords an abundant supply of
fish.
2. To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter
reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish; as, a
good life affords consolation in old age.
His tuneful Muse affords the sweetest numbers.
Addison.
The quiet lanes . . . afford calmer retreats.
Gilpin.
3. To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling,
granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury; as,
A affords his goods cheaper than B; a man can afford a sum
yearly in charity.
4. To incur, stand, or bear without serious
detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; --
with an auxiliary, as can, could, might, etc.; to be
able or rich enough.
The merchant can afford to trade for smaller
profits.
Hamilton.
He could afford to suffer
With those whom he saw suffer.
Wordsworth.
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