suffer

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Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Etymology

From Middle English suffren, from Anglo-Norman suffrir, from Latin suffero (“‘to offer,” “hold up,” “bear,” “suffer’”), from sub- (“‘up, under’”) + ferō (“‘to carry’”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- (“‘to bear,” “carry’”).

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to suffer

Third person singular
suffers

Simple past
suffered

Past participle
suffered

Present participle
suffering

to suffer (third-person singular simple present suffers, present participle suffering, simple past and past participle suffered)

  1. (intransitive) To undergo hardship.
  2. (intransitive) To feel pain.
    At least he didn't suffer when he died in the car crash.
  3. (intransitive, construed with from) To have a disease or condition.
    He's suffering from the flu this week.
  4. (intransitive) To become worse.
    If you keep partying like this, your school-work will suffer.
  5. (transitive) To endure, undergo.
    I've been suffering your insults for years.
    I hope you never have to suffer the same pain.
  6. (transitive, archaic) To allow.
    • 1560, John Knox, First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of Women
      ... the holie ghoste doth manifestlie expresse, saying: I suffer not that women usurpe authoritie above man:

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

to undergo hardship
to feel pain
to have a disease or condition
To become worse
To endure, undergo
To allow
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