suffice

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Contents

English [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Middle English suffisen, from Middle French souffire, from Latin sufficiō (supply, be adequate), from sub (under) + faciō (do, make). Cognate with French suffire.

Pronunciation [edit]

Verb [edit]

suffice (third-person singular simple present suffices, present participle sufficing, simple past and past participle sufficed)

  1. (intransitive) To be enough or sufficient; to meet the need (of anything); to be equal to the end proposed; to be adequate.
    Two capsules of fish oil a day suffices.
  2. (transitive) To satisfy; to content; to be equal to the wants or demands of.
    A joint of lamb sufficed even his enormous appetite.
  3. To furnish; to supply adequately.

Related terms [edit]

Usage notes [edit]

  • Commonly used in the phrase suffice it to say.
  • Mostly used in modal verb constructions, such as: Half a loaf per day will suffice. This is much more common than the direct form Half a loaf per day suffices.

Translations [edit]

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External links [edit]


Latin [edit]

Verb [edit]

suffice

  1. second-person singular present active imperative of sufficiō