Inflected forms: af·ford·ed, af·ford·ing, af·fords 1. To have the financial means for; bear the cost of: not able to afford a new car.2. To manage to spare or give up: can't afford an hour for lunch.3. To manage or bear without disadvantage or risk to oneself: can afford to be tolerant.4. To make available; provide: a sport affording good exercise; a tree that affords ample shade.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English aforthen, from Old English geforthian, to carry out : ge-, perfective pref.; see yclept + forthian, to further (from forth, forth, forward; see per1 in Appendix I).
-fôrd
, 
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