Of"fer (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Offered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Offering.] [OE. offren, AS. offrian to sacrifice, fr. L. offerre; ob (see OB-) + ferre to bear, bring. The English word was influenced by F. offrir to offer, of the same origin. See 1st Bear.]

1.

To present, as an act of worship; to immolate; to sacrifice; to present in prayer or devotion; -- often with up.

Thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement. Ex. xxix. 36.

A holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices. 1 Pet. ii. 5.

2.

To bring to or before; to hold out to; to present for acceptance or rejection; as, to offer a present, or a bribe; to offer one's self in marriage.

I offer thee three things. 2 Sam. xxiv. 12.

3.

To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to suggest; as, to offer an opinion. With the infinitive as an objective: To make an offer; to declare one's willingness; as, he offered to help me.

4.

To attempt; to undertake.

All that offer to defend him. Shak.

5.

To bid, as a price, reward, or wages; as, to offer a guinea for a ring; to offer a salary or reward.

6.

To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive way; to threaten; as, to offer violence, attack, etc.

Syn. -- To propose; propound; move; proffer; tender; sacrifice; immolate.

 

© Webster 1913.


Of"fer, v. i.

1.

To present itself; to be at hand.

The occasion offers, and the youth complies. Dryden.

2.

To make an attempt; to make an essay or a trial; -- used with at.

"Without offering at any other remedy."

Swift.

He would be offering at the shepherd's voice. L'Estrange.

I will not offer at that I can not master. Bacon.

 

© Webster 1913.


Of"fer (?), n. [Cf. F. offre, fr. offrir to offer, fr. L. offerre. See Offer, v. t.]

1.

The act of offering, bringing forward, proposing, or bidding; a proffer; a first advance.

"This offer comes from mercy."

Shak.

2.

That which is offered or brought forward; a proposal to be accepted or rejected; a sum offered; a bid.

When offers are disdained, and love denied. Pope.

3.

Attempt; endeavor; essay; as, he made an offer to catch the ball.

"Some offer and attempt."

South.

 

© Webster 1913.