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suffice

 - 3 dictionary results

suf⋅fice

  [suh-fahys, -fahyz] verb, -ficed, -fic⋅ing.
–verb (used without object)
1. to be enough or adequate, as for needs, purposes, etc.
–verb (used with object)
2. to be enough or adequate for; satisfy.
Use suffice in a Sentence
Origin:
1275–1325; ME sufficen < L sufficere to supply, suffice, equiv. to suf- suf- + -ficere, comb. form of facere to make, do 1 ; r. ME suffisen < OF < L, as above
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To suffice
suf·fice   (sə-fīs')   
v.   suf·ficed, suf·fic·ing, suf·fic·es

v.   intr.

  1. To meet present needs or requirements; be sufficient: These rations will suffice until next week.

  2. To be equal to a specified task; be capable: No words will suffice to convey my grief.

v.   tr.
To satisfy the needs or requirements of; be enough for.

[Middle English suffisen, from Old French suffire, suffis-, from Latin sufficere : sub-, sub- + facere, to make; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.]
suf·fic'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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Word Origin & History

suffice 
c.1325, from stem of O.Fr. souffire "be sufficient," from L. sufficere "supply, suffice," from sub "up to" + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Phrase suffice it to say (1390) is a rare surviving subjunctive. Sufficient (1375) is from L. sufficiens, prp. of sufficere.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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