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.
© Webster 1913.
Suf"fer, v. i.
1.
To feel or undergo pain of body or mind; to bear what is inconvenient; as, we suffer from pain, sickness, or sorrow; we suffer with anxiety.
O well for him whose will is strong!
He suffers, but he will not suffer long.
Tennyson.
2.
To undergo punishment; specifically, to undergo the penalty of death.
The father was first condemned to suffer upon a day appointed, and the son afterwards the day following.
Clarendon.
3.
To be injured; to sustain loss or damage.
Public business suffers by private infirmities.
Sir W. Temple.
© Webster 1913.