offer, v.
Forms:
OE ofrian, OE–eME offrian, OE–eME offrien, eME offredd ( Ormulum, past tense and past participle), eME offredde (past tense), eME offrenn ( Ormulum), eME offrie, eME ofri, ME hoffer, ME offere, ME offerre, ME offert (in a late copy, past participle), ME offir, ME offire, ME offri, ME offry, ME offur, ME offyr, ME–15 ofer, ME–15 ofre, ME–16 offre, ME– offer, 15 offerred (N. Amer., past tense); Sc. pre-17 offar, pre-17 offeir, pre-17 offeire, pre-17 offere, pre-17 offerr, pre-17 offerre, pre-17 offir, pre-17 offore, pre-17 offre, pre-17 offyr, pre-17 17– offer. (Show Less)
Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymon: Latin offerre.
Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian offria , offaria , Middle Dutch offeren (Dutch offeren ), Old Saxon offrōn , Old High German offrōn , Old Icelandic offra , Old Swedish offra , (Swedish offra ), Danish ofre , all in early use chiefly in religious context < post-classical Latin offerre to offer to God, offer sacrifice, devote (Vulgate), spec. use of classical Latin offerre to bring before, present, offer, put oneself forward, volunteer, present itself, occur, inflict < ob- ob- prefix + ferre to carry, bear (see bear v.1). Subsequently reinforced and influenced semantically by Old French offrir to put something at someone's disposal (early 12th cent.), to give something to God as an offering, to make a sacrifice (c1140), to give something as a present (c1170) and its etymon classical Latin offerre . Compare Old Occitan offrir , ofrir (c1150), Occitan ofrir , Spanish ofrecer (1245; 1229 as oferecer , offerecer , 1246 as ofrir ), Catalan oferir (late 13th cent.; also oferre , ofrir ), Italian offrire (1313–19 as offerire ). Compare offering n.
In Old English the prefixed form geoffrian is also attested. Compare also Middle Low German opperen , offeren , Old High German opfarōn , offarōn , opharōn (Middle High German opfern , German opfern ) to give as an offering, apparently in form chiefly < classical Latin operārī (see operate v.), although influenced in meaning by classical Latin offerre.
1.
a. trans. To present (something) to God, a god, a saint, etc., as an act of devotion; to sacrifice; to give in worship. Frequently as to offer up . Also with to or indirect object (in early use, dative).The object may be a material thing, as a slain animal, vegetable produce, incense, money, etc. (cf. offering n. 3); or, by extension, prayer, thanksgiving, etc.
eOE (Mercian) Vespasian Psalter
(1965)
lxv. 13 (15)
Holocausta medullata offeram tibi : onsegdnisse merglice ic ofriu ðe.
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 2nd Ser.
(Cambr. Gg.3.28)
xxx. 266
Hit wæs gewunelic..þæt man gode ðyllice lac offrode on cucan orfe.
OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Exod.
(Claud.)
xii. 6
Ofrian eall Israhela folc ðæt [lamb] on æfen.
?c1200 Ormulum
(Burchfield transcript)
l. 1003
Aȝȝ wass sallt wiþþ iwhillc lac Biforenn drihhtin offredd.
a1225
(▸OE)
Ælfric's Homily In Die Sancto Pentecosten
(Lamb. 487)
in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies
(1868)
1st Ser. 87
Heo sculden offrien of elchan hiwscipe gode an lomb.
c1275 Kentish Serm. in J. Hall Select. Early Middle Eng.
(1920)
I. 214 (MED)
Þrie kinges..wolden offri him gold and stor and Mirre.
c1384 Bible
(Wycliffite, E.V.)
(Douce 369(2))
1 Cor. x. 20
Tho thingis that hethene men offren, thei offren to deuelis and not to God.
1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds
(1850)
27 (MED)
The seid preests to haue j d. ob. to offre at the messe.
c1540
(▸?a1400)
Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 2881
He offert onestly in honour of Venus A gobet of gold.
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Bii
Christ was once offered for al To satisfie for all our synne.
a1564 Q. Kennedy Compend. Ressonyng in 2 Eucharistic Tracts
(1964)
182
The preist, to quhom It appertenit to..offir vp sacrifice.
1578 Ps. li, in Dalyell Scotish Poems 16th Cent.
(1801)
II. 119
Gif thou had pleased sacrifice I suld have offered thee.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge iii. ii. sig. F
I haue a prayer or two, to offer vp.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 792
Then did he offer Incense to Vitzliputzli.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 160. ¶2
After having washed my self and offered up my Morning Devotions.
1761 F. Sheridan Mem. Miss Sidney Bidulph 211
She offered up a prayer that it might turn out as my lord V— had suggested.
1868 Tennyson Lucretius 69
I would not one of thine own doves, Not ev'n a rose, were offer'd to thee.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues
(ed. 2)
III. 311
Offer up a prayer with me and follow.
1954 J. Corbett Temple Tiger 55
The greybeards of the village..had consulted the stars and offered up prayers.
1997 W. Dalrymple From Holy Mountain
(1998)
iii. 140
They call Lucifer ‘Malik Taws’, the Peacock Angel, and offer sacrifices to keep him happy.
eOE—1997(Hide quotations)
†b. intr. with object implied. To present a sacrifice or offering as an act of worship; to sacrifice. Obs.
eOE tr. Orosius Hist.
(BL Add.)
(1980)
i. xiv. 34
Mesiane noldon ðæt Læcedemonia mægdenmenn mid heora ofreden.
OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Exod.
(Claud.)
v. 1
Forlæt min folc, þæt hit mæge offrian me on þam westene.
a1225
(▸c1200)
Vices & Virtues 37 (MED)
Gif ðu riht offrest and noht riht ne sciftst, ðu senegest mare ðan ðu god do.
c1325
(▸c1300)
Chron. Robert of Gloucester
(Calig.)
325 (MED)
Brut..offrede to þis maumet & honoured it inow.
c1400
(▸c1378)
Langland Piers Plowman
(Laud 581)
(1869)
B. xiii. 197
And þe pore widwe for a peire of mytes, þan alle þo that offreden in-to gazafilacium.
a1450
(▸?c1400)
Three Kings Cologne
(Royal)
133
All þe pepil..come & visitid hem and offrid to hem wiþ gret deuocioun.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux
(1882–7)
lvii. 191
We..are goyng to offre at ye holy sepulcre.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer
(STC 16267)
Svpper of the Lorde f. cxxvi
So many as are disposed, shall offer vnto the poore mennes boxe.
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav.
(rev. ed.)
92
Bannyans have repayred to offer here and to wash away their sinnes in Ganges.
1725 D. Cotes tr. L. E. Du Pin New Eccl. Hist. 17th Cent. I. v. 139
When it is forbidden in the Canons to the Deacons to offer.
1893 G. L. Kittredge in Atlantic Monthly 72 830/2
Those who offer to his relics and receive his absolution.
eOE—1893(Hide quotations)
2.
a. trans. To give or present (something), spec. to a superior as an act of homage, etc. Also fig. Now hist.The first two quots. may be regarded as intermediate between 1, 2, the context being religious.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron.
(Laud)
(Peterborough interpolation)
anno 1013
Ælfsige..bohte..Sancte Florentines lichaman eall buton þe heafod to v hundred punda, &..offrede hit Crist & Sancte Peter.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron.
(Laud)
(Peterborough interpolation)
anno 963
He nam up Sc̃a Kyneburh & S. Kynesuið þe lægen in Castra,..& brohte heom to Burch, and offrede heom eall S. Peter on an dæi.
a1325
(▸c1250)
Gen. & Exod.
(1968)
l. 3619
Ðis folc..Offreden him siluer and golde.
?a1400
(▸a1338)
R. Mannyng Chron.
(Petyt)
(1996)
i. 4512
Whan þis grete lordynges sawe Cesar offer þam suilk thynges.
1411 Rolls of Parl. III. 650/2
Offre yow v c mark to ben paied at youre will.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxxix
That all his heyres..should offer a hart of lyke weight and value, as a releue & homage done.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 193
To sweare vnto him homage and fealtie, the which euery one..did willyngly offer.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl.
(1888)
I. 166
Humblie thay [sc. the Romans] pray King Galdie..for thair lyfe, offiring thame selfes and al that thay haue vnto his Grace.
1782 Gibbon Decline & Fall I. v. 136
The kings beyond the Tigris and the Euphrates congratulated his election and offered him their homage and services.
1869 L. M. Alcott Little Women II. ii. 21
And all, from the rosiest full-blown flower to the palest baby-bud, offered their tribute of beauty and fragrance to the gentle mistress who had loved them so long.
1900 F. W. Pixley Hist. Baronetage v. 237
At the funeral of James I., the Standard of the Crest of Ireland was borne and offered by a Baronet, Sir Thomas Button.
1988 J. Matthews & B. Stewart Warriors of Christendom
(BNC)
71
After this, most of the east and south-east of Moorish Spain offered tribute to El Cid, acknowledging him as their overlord.
lOE—1988(Hide quotations)
†b. intr. To give something as a present or offering. Obs. rare.
1633 Printer to Understanders in J. Donne's Poems sig. A2
Whereas it hath pleased some, who had studyed and did admire him, to offer to the memory of the Author, not long after his decease, I have thought I should do you service in presenting them unto you now.
1671 L. Addison W. Barbary 186
The Negro's likewise call every one by name who Offer, saying Fulano (or such an one) lays on so much.
1633—1671(Hide quotations)
3. intr. With infinitive. To propose or express one's readiness (to do something) if the person addressed assents. Also †trans. (refl.) and with implied infinitive taken from the context.
?a1425
(▸c1400)
Mandeville's Trav.
(Titus C.xvi)
(1919)
54 (MED)
Þei offren hem to do all þat the berere asketh.
c1425 Lydgate Troyyes Bk.
(Augustus A.iv)
v. 1741 (MED)
Nestor..Roos vp anoon lyk a manly knyȝt, Offringe him silf..Þis hiȝe quarel for to vndirtake.
1433 Rolls of Parl. IV. 425/1
My said Lord of Bedford..offerd and agreed hym to serve þe Kyng.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux
(1882–7)
lix. 203
He offeryth to make amendes.
1588 Hunsdon in Border Papers
(1894)
I. 306
I..did offer to send Sir John Selby and towe others to confer with them.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 185
They haue too great plenty, and offred to sell vs some.
1727 P. Walker Remarkable Passages 140 (Jam.)
Friends would not suffer them to put their hands to a handspaik, tho' they offered.
1796 F. Burney Camilla III. vi. x. 325
She offered to pin her up a turban.
1866 Trollope Belton Estate I. i. 31
He had offered to accompany her to Belton.
1906 J. Conrad Mirror of Sea xxi. 108
He did not offer to help me or himself.
1993 J. Evans Dangerous Diagnosis
(BNC)
One of the nurses is coming ashore with us—she offered. I didn't want anyone to go to that sort of trouble.
2001 Times 16 Nov. i. 8/5
Canada said that it had offered to provide 1,000 rapid-deployment soldiers for humanitarian missions in Afghanistan.
?a1425—2001(Hide quotations)
4.
a. trans. To present or tender for acceptance or refusal; to hold out (a thing) to a person to take if he or she so desires. (Now the usual sense.) With indirect object and direct object, or direct object and to, †unto.Either the direct object or the indirect object or object of to may be the subject of the passive voice; e.g. ‘the place was offered to him’, or ‘he was offered the place’.
c1425 Lydgate Troyyes Bk.
(Augustus A.iv)
ii. 1256
Or þat we procede by rigour, We schal to hem offern al mesour.
c1475 tr. C. de Pisan Livre du Corps de Policie
(Cambr.)
(1977)
147 (MED)
It was offred him aftir the customes of Rome..an hundred iourneyes of londe.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. xlixv
To inquyre what raunsome he wold offre.
a1616 Shakespeare Taming of Shrew
(1623)
ii. i. 377
Nay, I haue offred all, I haue no more, And she can haue no more then all I haue.
1624 Briefe Information Affaires Palatinate 36
Hee was offered a Treatie of Peace.
1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius De Rebus Belgicis 43
He offered himself as a Peacemaker between them.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. iii. 18
A small Cure of fifteen pounds a year was offered me.
1786 F. Burney Diary 17 July
(1842)
III. 14
I was offered the seat..at the head of the table.
1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest II. ix. 49
I cannot accept the honour you offer me.
1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 116
One of the ringleaders..was offered a pardon if he would own that Queensberry had set him on.
1875 J. W. Dawson Life's Dawn on Earth Pref. 7
I offer no apology.
1954 I. Murdoch Under Net viii. 122
He offered the rest of his bottle to Finn, and it was not refused.
2001 Broadcast 26 Oct. 32/2
I reckon I've offered him..virtually every job going since I joined.
c1425—2001(Hide quotations)
b. trans. To present for sale. Frequently as to offer for (formerly †to) sale .
1472–5 Rolls of Parl. VI. 155/1
It is ordeyned..that all maner such Clothes of Gold..offred to sale be sealed with the said Seales.
1536 in E. Beveridge Burgh Rec. Dunfermline
(1917)
17
Gif thai by othir hyd or skyn and offer it nocht to the cors it salbe mayd chayt.
1609 J. Skene Regiam Majestatem II. f. 8v
The merchandises..salbe presented to the mercat, and mercat crosse of Burghis; And there..salbe offered to the merchants.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 25
I understand that your Steward hath offered to sale your goods.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero I. v. 370
A particular estate..which she was now offering to sale.
1899 Daily News 29 May 10/5
Short attendance and very little wheat offering.
1978 C. Rayner Long Acre xiii. 134
It was late in March, when the flower-sellers at the street corners were offering bunches of violets and primroses and occasionally even daffodils.
1991 M. Binney & M. Watson-Smyth Save Britain's Heritage Action Guide
(BNC)
89
Has the freehold building been offered for sale on the open market?
1472–5—1991(Hide quotations)
c. trans. to offer battle (also war, etc.) . Now chiefly arch. or hist.Perhaps related to sense 5.
a1475
(▸1450)
S. Scrope tr. Dicts & Sayings Philosophers
(Bodl. 943)
(1999)
26 (MED)
Whenne thou offriste bataile, first lete thi peple bee set therfore.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. lxiiij
So great a number of ennemies are assembled to offer battell.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Panaetius Rhodius in Panoplie Epist. 218
To keepe off Fortune furiously offering the combate.
a1616 Shakespeare Taming of Shrew
(1623)
v. ii. 167
I am asham'd that women are so simple, To offer warre, where they should kneele for peace.
1817 Scott Rob Roy II. vi. 128
The trades..offered downright battle to the commons.
1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VI. li. 239
Darius..was about to meet him and to offer battle.
1987 N. Tranter Flowers of Chivalry
(BNC)
136
When you have to face King Edward's assault, it would be with an armed host, offering battle.
a1475—1987(Hide quotations)
d. trans. To suggest (an amount, etc.) that one is willing to provide in a proposed transaction, esp. a purchase; to make an offer of, to bid. Frequently with for. Also intr.: to make a bid.Cf. also quot. 1548 at sense 4a.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce
(1516)
I. ccxxv. f. cxlvii/2
The kynge called before hym the .ii. Munkis seuerally & eyther out proferyd other;... Than the Kynge called hym [sc. the third] and asked if he wolde geue any more than his bretherne had offered to be Abbot.
1587 P. Gray Let. 12 Jan. in R. S. Rait & I. C. Cameron King James's Secret
(1927)
v. 147
And in speciall we offreit as is set down.
1663 R. Boyle Usef. Exper. Nat. Philos. ii. ii. 79
I inquired of him, whether he had met with a remedy that could dissolve the stone, offering him much more for a cure of that kind, then he would require as a lithotomist.
1712–13 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 14 Mar.
I doubt I shall not buy the library; for a roguey bookseller has offered sixty pounds more than I designed to give.
1837 Dickens Let. ?24 Feb.
(1965)
I. 238
I have offered for the house I mentioned.
1886 Athenæum 3 July 18/1
He was offered 240/. for a lot of early mezzos.
1924 G. B. Shaw Saint Joan iv. 41
The Chaplain: You have first to catch her, my lord. The Nobleman: Or buy her. I will offer a king's ransom.
1965 A. J. P. Taylor Eng. Hist. 1914–45 iii. 83
He [sc. Lloyd George] offered Redmond the previous bargain: immediate Home Rule for twenty-six counties, and a final settlement after the war.
1989 Bookseller 13 Jan. 79/1
NI offered for Collins in November.
1996 Independent 22 Feb. 12/2
A British tabloid was offering £50,000 for the first exclusive shot.
a1513—1996(Hide quotations)
e. intr. To make an offer or proposal; spec. to make an offer of marriage, to propose (now chiefly arch. or regional).
1587 R. S. Rait & A. I. Cameron King James's Secret 147
And in speciall we offreit as is set doun.
1598 Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 v. i. 114
We offer faire, take it aduisedly. Prin. It will not be accepted.
1797 J. Farington Diary 2 July
(1923)
I. lx. 210
Lord Lansdowne offered to Miss Molesworth. She..in an agony said she could not marry him.
1847 Tennyson Princess iii. 54
I offer boldly: we will seat you highest.
1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour i. i. 2
He never hesitated about offering to a lady, after a three days' acquaintance.
1903 S. Macplowter Mrs McCraw 41
Ye met an auld sweethert o' yer ain in Dumfarlin', an' ye offered till er richt awa'.
1997 C. Brookmyre Country of Blind
(2001)
vii. 175
‘Ach, your mother wouldnae have it,’ he said. ‘What? Have you offered?’ ‘Aye. But she'll no let me build a fire on the kitchen flair.’
1587—1997(Hide quotations)
f. trans. With indirect object and infinitive as direct object (the object being what the person is permitted to do or have). Now rare.
1631 W. Saltonstall Picturæ Loquentes E iij b
At your first alighting hee straight offers you to see a Chamber.
1654 D. Osborne Lett.
(1888)
263
If he offers me to stay here, this hole will be more agreeable to my humour than any place that is more in the world.
1808 J. Wolcot One more Peep at Royal Acad. in Wks.
(1816)
IV. 405
To move a mennow, who would wish—In paltry brooks a paltry fish—While Nature offers him to roll a whale!
1939 C. Morley Kitty Foyle 328
I offered him to go in the bathroom to wash.
1631—1939(Hide quotations)
g. trans., with clause as object. To make a proposal, suggest (that something be done, is the case, etc.). Now rare.
1660 A. Marvell Let. 20 Nov. in Poems & Lett.
(1971)
II. 3
Some offerd..that onely the Lands in Capite wch receive the benefit should be taxed with the revenue.
1727 Pope et al. Περι Βαθους: Art of Sinking 71 in Swift et al. Misc.: Last Vol.
It is therefore humbly offer'd, that all and every Individual of the Bathos do enter into a firm Association.
1872 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch III. vi. liv. 198
Sir James was much pained and offered that they should all migrate to Cheltenham for a few months with the sacred ark.
1988 R. Shilts Band Played On iii. vi. 56
Weisman offered that the men's immune systems might have been shattered by some new cytomegalovirus.
1660—1988(Hide quotations)
h. trans. (refl.). To present oneself to a person for acceptance or refusal; to put oneself forward, spec. as a suitor or sexual partner.
1739 J. Hildrop Ess. Free-thinking 14
All such as should at any time offer themselves as Candidates to be Gremial or Honourary Members of our Society.
1765 H. Walpole Castle of Otranto i. 18
In short, Isabella, since I cannot give you my son [in marriage], I offer you myself.
1816 B. Waterhouse Jrnl. in Mag. Hist.
(1911)
18 xi. 367
The sea-ports..are filled with handsome women who offer themselves as ‘wives’ to men they never saw before, for a few shillings.
1886 O. Wilde Let. in More Lett.
(1985)
61
I beg to offer myself as a candidate for the Secretaryship to the Beaumont Trust Fund.
1893 M. E. Mann In Summer Shade II. xi. 28
I have this evening offered myself to Mary Burne, and she has accepted me.
1903 Eng. Dial. Dict. IV. 332/2
He did nothing but offer himself for her for so long as she lived.
1930 G. B. Shaw Apple Cart ii. 75
It is my intention to offer myself to the Royal Borough of Windsor as a candidate at the forthcoming General Election.
1951 J. Cornish Provincials 62
He rather frightened me; he was big and spotty and at first he thought I was offering myself.
1993 L. Pemberton Platinum Coast
(BNC)
245
Still damp from the sea and glistening in the moonlight, she offered herself to him again.
1739—1993(Hide quotations)
i. intr. To put oneself forward in a particular capacity or for a particular office; to stand as a candidate, etc. Now rare.
1766 J. Wedgwood Let. 4 June in Sel. Lett.
(1965)
40
Some of our friends suspected a Candidate would offer who lived at too great a distance from the centre of the business.
1784 J. Woodforde Diary 23 Aug.
(1926)
II. 150
This Morning one Sally Barber..came here to offer as a Servant in Betty's Place.
1803 W. R. Davie Let. 20 Aug. in J. Steele Papers
(1924)
I. 405
The Gentlemen who prevailed upon me ‘to offer’ as they call it, consisted principally of the moderate men of both parties.
1835 A. B. Longstreet Georgia Scenes 234
Then lowering his voice to a confidential but distinctly audible tone, ‘what you offering for?’ continued he.
1976 Methodist Church Minutes Ann. Conf. Preston & Church Yearbk. 74
He offered for the United Methodist ministry.
1766—1976(Hide quotations)
j. trans., with direct speech as object. To say, suggest, esp. tentatively or helpfully.
1881 M. Crommelin Miss Daisy Dimity I. ii. 32
‘There are two hens to be set with Brahma eggs this morning, and a brood of young Cochins coming out,’ offered Polly hesitatingly.
1894 ‘R. Andom’ We Three & Troddles iv. 21
‘A coffee-mill,’ suggested Wilks. ‘Or a sewing machine,’ I offered.
1973 J. Rossiter Manipulators v. 51
‘Perhaps,’ Bradley offered helpfully, ‘you've been name-calling somebody. And they didn't like it.’
1989 A. Brookner Lewis Percy
(1990)
viii. 122
‘I've seen you on television,’ offered Tissy.
1881—1989(Hide quotations)
k. trans. Telecomm. To direct (a call) to a destination, user, device, etc., on a telecommunication network.
1950 J. Atkinson Herbert & Procter's Teleph.
(new ed.)
II. ii. 33/2
It is readily possible to read off the traffic offered to any particular contact for any value of total traffic.
1960 Post Office Electr. Engineers' Jrnl. 53 76/2
This form of control will facilitate the provision of automatic alternative routing, which will permit traffic to be offered to a direct route and then, if all circuits are engaged, to overflow to the transit network.
2002 www.erlang.com 12 Nov.
(O.E.D. Archive)
The Call Minutes Calculator is used to work out how many lines a trunk group requires if the number of minutes of traffic offered to that trunk group in one day are known.
1950—2002(Hide quotations)
5.
a. trans. To attempt or intend to do (harm); to try to inflict (violence, or injury of any kind). Cf. also 4c.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 646/1
Every man offerith hym wronge.
a1593 Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus
(1604)
sig. Ev
For the iniury hee offred me heere in your presence.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 708
[They] avenged themselves for such wrongs as by the Turkes..had beene formerly offered them.
1781 Gibbon Decline & Fall III. xxviii. 84
The insults which he offered to an ancient chapel of Bacchus.
1885 W. D. Howells Rise Silas Lapham xiv. 273
Nothing but the surveillance of the local policeman prevents my offering personal violence to those long rows of..brutally insensible houses.
1934 R. Graves I, Claudius xxvi. 365
They would be afraid to offer violence to Castor's surviving son by Livilla.
1996 C. Bateman Of Wee Sweetie Mice & Men xxxvi. 281
Another time, another place, and I suspect Matchitt would have..insisted on a seat or offered violence.
1530—1996(Hide quotations)
b. trans. With infinitive. To make an attempt or show of intention (to do something); to essay, try, endeavour. In early use frequently with the suggestion of hardihood: to venture, dare, presume (to do a thing). Now chiefly regional.
1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance xv. f. 29
After that the emperour had concluded in this wise his reson, there was no man offred to reply therto.
a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister
(?1566)
iii. v. sig. F.ij
I knocke your costarde if ye offer to strike me.
1613 T. Jackson Eternall Truth Script. ii. xxx. §17
Heauing and offering with might and maine to get out.
1648 Bp. J. Hall Breathings Devout Soul xlv. 76
I may not offer to look into the bosoms of men, which thou hast reserved for thy self.
1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ii. 34
You should not offer to cut the Grooves to their full width at the first.
1722 R. Wodrow Suffering III. viii. § 5
So benummed with Cold, that when they offered to write, their Hands would not serve them.
1866 Trollope Belton Estate III. ii. 37
He did not offer to kiss her.
1886 R. E. G. Cole Gloss. Words S.-W. Lincs. (at cited word)
He mut lig on the bed, and sit up on end a bit, afore he offers to walk.
1919 J. Conrad Arrow of Gold v. v
She made no sound. She didn't offer to stir.
1954 Banffshire Herald 6 Mar.
It was ‘offering to snow’ at the time.
1976 E. L. Ryland Richmond Co. Virginia 374
As sick as he was, that dog offered to stand up.
1541—1976(Hide quotations)
†c. intr. Chiefly with at. To make an attempt at or upon; to aim at. Cf. sense 5b and offer n.1 3a. Obs.
1649 Milton Εικονοκλαστης Pref. sig. B3v
This Man, who hath offer'd at more cunning fetches to undermine our Liberties..then any Brittish King before him.
1684 Bp. G. Burnet tr. T. More Utopia 36
The Jests at which he offered were so cold and dull.
1686 Bp. G. Burnet Some Lett. conc. Switzerland iii. 174
I will not offer at a description of the Glorious Chappel.
1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome iii. 521
Several offer'd at the Empire during his time, who came to nothing.
1790 A. Wheeler Westmorland Dial.
(1820)
40
Thah mud a done it long sin, but thah's nivver offered.
1847 J. W. Carlyle Lett. II. 3
He did not offer at coming in.
1853 Dickens Bleak House xiv. 141
There ain't no danger, gentlefolks..she'd [sc. a cat] never offer at the birds when I was here, unless I told her to it.
1611—1853(Hide quotations)
d. trans. To make an effort at (attack or resistance).
1863 P. Barry Dockyard Econ. 202
Offering..serious resistance from the forts and batteries.
1992 K. Tidrick Empire & Eng. Char.
(BNC)
246
Two thousand five hundred volunteers advanced.., offering no serious resistance when the police laid about them with clubs.
1863—1992(Hide quotations)
6.
a. trans. Of a thing: to present (something) to the sight, notice, etc.; to furnish, afford, give. Also refl.: to present (itself).
1550 N. Udall tr. P. M. Vermigli Disc. Sacrament Lordes Supper sig. x4v
Neyther is it the worke of nature that bread and wine should so mightely and so effectually signifie offre and represente the bodye and bloud of our lorde to bee comprehended wyth our myndes and wyth our feith.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 44
Sundrie circumstances which offered them selves to my judgement.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 56
A gravelly Forest with tall benty Grass, offers, besides its taking Look, diversity of Game.
1729 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm.
(ed. 2)
Pref. p. i
Though 'tis scarce possible to avoid judging..of almost every thing which offers itself to one's Thoughts.
1834 M. Somerville Connex. Physical Sci.
(1835)
iv. 42
Their motions offer the singular phenomenon of being retrograde.
1892 B. F. Westcott Gospel of Life 41
Each age offers its characteristic riddles.
1930 H. G. Wells Autocracy Mr. Parham iv. ii. 285
An unhoped for revanche offered itself plainly and clearly to the German people.
1961 I. Murdoch Severed Head ii. 18
A narrative of events which may..offer few opportunities for meditation.
1990 Times Educ. Suppl. 10 Aug. 36/3
Creative Sewing at the Pfaff School in Leeds offers..a chance to develop skills and creativity.
1550—1990(Hide quotations)
b. intr. with reflexive meaning. Of an object, phenomenon, event, etc.: to present itself; to occur.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. iii. v. 57
There offereth to our eye, first the towne Nicæa.
1696 London Gaz. No. 3222/3
If the Wind and Weather offer for his Embarking.
1697 Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 141
Th' Occasion offers, and the Youth complies.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 4. ⁋1
I..shall take any Thing that offers for the Subject of my Discourse.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. i. x. 89
Taking the first path that offered, we soon galloped out of the forest.
1891 A. H. Craufurd Gen. Craufurd & Light Div. 7
He..distinguished himself wherever an occasion offered.
1929 C. Williams-Ellis Architect xi. 130
Cubic space was..hard to come by in post-war London, and I had to start work again in just such offices as offered.
1991 I. Tree Ruling Passion John Gould
(BNC)
73
Whenever a favourable opportunity offered, Captain McKellar obligingly allowed me the use of a boat.
1601—1991(Hide quotations)
7.
a. trans. To bring forward or put forth for consideration; to propound.In quots. 1634, 1638: to give, to mention or cite by way of example.
1583 Ld. Burghley Let. in T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit.
(1655)
ix. 155
But now they coming to me, I offer how your Grace proceeded with them.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 43
I will offer you a little of the Arabian Tongue as is now spoken in that Countrey.
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav.
(rev. ed.)
232
The rest I offer not, this in my conceit sufficing.
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes v. 316
When all that I have offered hath been duly considered.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J. H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature
(1799)
I. 524
We shall offer a few thoughts hereafter on this part of Harmony.
1874 Trollope Phineas Redux II. x. 77
The House would of course understand..that he was offering no opinion as to who was the perpetrator of the murder.
1978 H. Carpenter Inklings
(1981)
i. 12
They continued to read each other's poetry with interest, and to offer criticisms.
1993 J. Critchly Floating Voter
(BNC)
144
She was cursorily examined by a female Indian doctor who offered no opinion.
1583—1993(Hide quotations)
b. trans. orig. Eng. regional. To put (a part of a structure, etc.) in place to see how it looks or whether it fits properly; to hold up or display (a thing) to test its appearance or correctness. Usually with up (occasionally with on).
1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northamptonshire Words II. 73
One of his workmen said, ‘Shall I offer up, or offer on, that frame, to see if it will fit the picture?’
1887 W. D. Parish & W. F. Shaw Dict. Kentish Dial. 110
I once heard a master paper~hanger say to his assistant, when a customer was inspecting some wall-papers, ‘Just offer this paper up for the lady to see.’
1903 Eng. Dial. Dict. IV. 332/2
I will offer the shrubs before planting them.
1952 W. Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms 125
Offer up, to show the producer the position of a picture or an ornament for approval before fixing it permanently, particularly mirrors which reflect the stage lighting..Carpenters offer up doorways to fit into the door-frames, in fact they offer up anything before it is approved.
1990 Compl. Angler's Guide Spring 21/3
Now hold both slips in the thumb and forefinger of your right hand and offer them up to size the wing.
1854—1990(Hide quotations)
†8. intr. To incline, tend in some direction; to have an inclination or disposition to. Obs. rare.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. xiv. 192
They suspected him to be unsound in his religion, and offering to Christianity.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre v. xxv. 272
We find some straggling rayes and beams of valour offering that way.
1639—1639(Hide quotations)