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Definition of proffer - 5 dictionary results

prof⋅fer

  [prof-er]
Use proffer in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to put before a person for acceptance; offer.
–noun
2. the act of proffering.
3. an offer or proposal.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME profren < AF profrer, var. of OF poroffrir, equiv. to por- pro- 1 + offrir to offer

Related forms:
prof⋅fer⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. volunteer, propose, suggest. See offer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To proffer
prof·fer   (prŏf'ər)   
tr.v.   prof·fered, prof·fer·ing, prof·fers
To offer for acceptance; tender. See Synonyms at offer.
n.  The act of proffering; an offer.

[Middle English profren, from Old French poroffrir, profrir : por-, forth (from Latin prō-; see pro-1) + offrir, to offer (from Latin offerre; see offer).]
prof'fer·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Proffer

Prof"fer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proffered; p. pr. & vb. n. Proffering.] [OE. profren, proferen, F. prof['e]rer, fr. L. proferre to bring forth or forward, to offer; pro forward + ferre to bring. See Bear to produce.]

1. To offer for acceptance; to propose to give; to make a tender of; as, to proffer a gift; to proffer services; to proffer friendship. --Shak.

I reck not what wrong that thou me profre. --Chaucer.

2. To essay or attempt of one's own accord; to undertake, or propose to undertake. [R.] --Milton.

Proffer

Prof"fer\, n. 1. An offer made; something proposed for acceptance by another; a tender; as, proffers of peace or friendship.

He made a proffer to lay down his commission. --Clarendon.

2. Essay; attempt. [R.] --Bacon.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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proffer 
c.1290, from Anglo-Fr. profrier (c.1240), O.Fr. poroffrir (c.1080), from por- "forth" (from L. pro-) + offrir "to offer," from L. offerre (see offer).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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