to be able to do, manage, or bear without serious consequence or adverse effect: The country can't afford another drought.
2.
to be able to meet the expense of; have or be able to spare the price of: Can we afford a trip to Europe this year? The city can easily afford to repair the street.
3.
to be able to give or spare: He can't afford the loss of a day.
4.
to furnish; supply: The transaction afforded him a good profit.
5.
to be capable of yielding or providing: The records afford no explanation.
6.
to give or confer upon: to afford great pleasure to someone.
Origin: bef. 1050; ME aforthen, iforthen, OE geforthian to further, accomplish, equiv. to ge-y-+ forthforth+ -ian inf. suffix
To have the financial means for; bear the cost of: not able to afford a new car.
To manage to spare or give up: can't afford an hour for lunch.
To manage or bear without disadvantage or risk to oneself: can afford to be tolerant.
To make available; provide: a sport affording good exercise; a tree that affords ample shade.
[Middle English aforthen, from Old English geforthian, to carry out : ge-, perfective pref.; see yclept + forthian, to further (from forth, forth, forward; see per1 in Indo-European roots).]
[uh-fawrd, uh-fohrd] 
