Definition: offer

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

offer
     n 1: the verbal act of offering; "a generous offer of assistance"
          [syn: offering]
     2: something offered (as a proposal or bid); "noteworthy new
        offerings for investors included several index funds"
        [syn: offering]
     3: a usually brief attempt; "he took a crack at it"; "I gave it
        a whirl" [syn: crack, fling, go, pass, whirl]
     v 1: make available or accessible, provide or furnish; "The
          conference center offers a health spa"; "The hotel
          offers private meeting rooms"
     2: present for acceptance or rejection; ; "She offered us all a
        cold drink" [syn: proffer]
     3: agree freely; "She volunteered to drive the old lady home";
        "I offered to help with the dishes but the hostess would
        not hear of it" [syn: volunteer]
     4: put forward for consideration; "He offered his opinion"
     5: offer verbally: "extend my greetings"; "He offered his
        sympathy" [syn: extend]
     6: make available for sale; "The stores are offering specials
        on sweaters this week"
     7: propose a payment; as at sales or auctions; "The Swiss
        dealer offered $2 million for the painting" [syn: bid, tender]
     8: produce or introduce on the stage; "The Shakespeare Company
        is offering "King Lear" this month"
     9: present as an act of worship; "offer prayers to the gods"
        [syn: offer up]
     10: mount or put up; "put up a good fight"; "offer resistance"
         [syn: put up, provide]
     11: make available; provide; "extend a loan"; "The bank offers a
         good deal on new mortgages" [syn: extend]
     12: ask (someone) to marry you; "he popped the question on
         Sunday night"; "she proposed marriage to the man she had
         known for only two months" [syn: propose, pop the
         question]
     13: threaten to do something: "I offered to leave the committee
         if they did not accept my proposal"

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Offer \Of"fer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Offered; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Offering.] [OE. offren, AS. offrian to sacrifice, fr. L.
   offerre; ob (see OB-) + ferre to bear, bring. The English
   word was influenced by F. offrir to offer, of the same
   origin. See 1st Bear.]
   1. To present, as an act of worship; to immolate; to
      sacrifice; to present in prayer or devotion; -- often with
      up.

            Thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin
            offering for atonement.               --Ex. xxix.
                                                  36.

            A holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices.
                                                  --1 Pet. ii.
                                                  5.

   2. To bring to or before; to hold out to; to present for
      acceptance or rejection; as, to offer a present, or a
      bribe; to offer one's self in marriage.

            I offer thee three things.            --2 Sam. xxiv.
                                                  12.

   3. To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to
      suggest; as, to offer an opinion. With the infinitive as
      an objective: To make an offer; to declare one's
      willingness; as, he offered to help me.

   4. To attempt; to undertake.

            All that offer to defend him.         --Shak.

   5. To bid, as a price, reward, or wages; as, to offer a
      guinea for a ring; to offer a salary or reward.

   6. To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive way;
      to threaten; as, to offer violence, attack, etc.

   Syn: To propose; propound; move; proffer; tender; sacrifice;
        immolate.
Offer \Of"fer\, v. i.
   1. To present itself; to be at hand.

            The occasion offers, and the youth complies.
                                                  --Dryden.

   2. To make an attempt; to make an essay or a trial; -- used
      with at. ``Without offering at any other remedy.''
      --Swift.

            He would be offering at the shepherd's voice.
                                                  --L'Estrange.

            I will not offer at that I can not master. --Bacon.
Offer \Of"fer\, n. [Cf. F. offre, fr. offrir to offer, fr. L.
   offerre. See Offer, v. t.]
   1. The act of offering, bringing forward, proposing, or
      bidding; a proffer; a first advance. ``This offer comes
      from mercy.'' --Shak.

   2. That which is offered or brought forward; a proposal to be
      accepted or rejected; a sum offered; a bid.

            When offers are disdained, and love denied. --Pope.

   3. Attempt; endeavor; essay; as, he made an offer to catch
      the ball. ``Some offer and attempt.'' --South.