offer

I. verb (offered; offering) Etymology: Middle English offren, in sense 1, from Old English offrian, from Late Latin offerre, from Latin, to present, tender, from ob- toward + ferre to carry; in other senses, from Anglo-French offrir, from Latin offerre — more at bear Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to present as an act of worship or devotion ; sacrifice b. to utter (as a prayer) in devotion 2. a. to present for acceptance or rejection ; tender <

was offered a job

> b. to present in order to satisfy a requirement <

candidates for degrees may offer French as one of their foreign languages

> 3. a. propose, suggest <

offer a solution to a problem

> b. to declare one's readiness or willingness <

offered to help me

> 4. a. to try or begin to exert ; put up <

offered stubborn resistance

> b. threaten <

offered to strike him with his cane

> 5. to make available ; afford; especially to place (merchandise) on sale 6. to present in performance or exhibition 7. to propose as payment ; bid intransitive verb 1. to present something as an act of worship or devotion ; sacrifice 2. archaic to make an attempt 3. to present itself 4. to make a proposal (as of marriage) II. noun Date: 15th century 1. a. a presenting of something for acceptance <

considering job offers from several firms

> <

an offer of marriage

> b. an undertaking to do an act or give something on condition that the party to whom the proposal is made do some specified act or make a return promise 2. obsolete offering 3. a price named by one proposing to buy ; bid 4. a. attempt, try b. an action or movement indicating a purpose or intention