\Af*ford"\ ([a^]f*f[=o]rd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Afforded}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Affording}.] [OE. aforthen, AS.
gefor[eth]ian, for[eth]ian, to further, accomplish, afford,
fr. for[eth] 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.