offern.1
/ˈɒfə/, U.S. /ˈɔfər/, /ˈɑfər/ 1.
a. An act of offering something for acceptance or refusal; an expression of intention or willingness to give or do something if desired; a proposal, an invitation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > [noun]
proffera1325
presentation1427
presentingc1430
offer1433
proposition1541
tender1577
tendry1624
tendering1625
offerture1631
proposala1640
deference1660
oblation1678
offering1706
porrection1715
1433 Rolls of Parl. IV. 425/1 My said Lord of Bedford..made hem þerinne diverse faire overtures and offris.
1433 Rolls of Parl. IV. 425/1 Of the whiche his liberall offre, ye said Lords yankid hym.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xii. 298 Sire, leve that offre that reynawde gyveth to you.
a1500 (c1454) in C. Monro Lett. Margaret of Anjou (1863) 103 (MED) We praye..ye wol..be unto hym good and favorable ladye, in his honest desires and resonable offers.
1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 2nd Pt. sig. K8v There should not one..Liue to giue offer of another fight.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 546 If any of his subjects hath any precious stone of value, and make not him the offer of it, it is death to him.
1647 H. Hammond Of Power of Keyes iv. 60 This magisteriall affirmation having no tender or offer of proof annext to it.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 89. ¶7 A Virtuous Woman should reject the first Offer of Marriage.
1746 G. G. Beekman Let. 20 Nov. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) I. 11 As you Was so good as [to] Make Me the Offer to keep them I..have taken them.
1843 G. Borrow Bible in Spain III. iv. 61 An offer of a monthly salary.
1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. xvi. 319 [He] had long been profuse in his offers of service.
1964 E. Baker Fine Madness xiv. 165 Oliver's offer had sounded so logical and generous to him that he couldn't believe Shillitoe was refusing.
1992 Good Food December Dec. (BNC) 68 The Open Christmas is now so well established that food manufacturers take the initiative with offers of help.
b. spec. (in elliptical use, with complement implied): a proposal of marriage. Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > proposal of marriage > [noun]
offer1548
proposal1657
declaration1740
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. viiv [She] there receaued a corporall othe of him to mary her eldest daughter, which offre she abode not by.
1619 T. Lorkin in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times James I (1848) (modernized text) II. 156 I would not wish any good offer for your niece should be refused, in hope of this.
1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) i. 6 When Offers are disdain'd, and Love deny'd.
1807 Salmagundi 25 Apr. 165 It was owing to her never having had an offer.
1847 A. Brontë Agnes Grey xiv. 219 The conceited wretch chose to interpret my amiability of temper his own way, and at length..he actually—made me an offer!
1971 G. Mitchell Lament for Leto iv. 121 Ronald Dick..certainly would make me an offer if I were free.
1992 M. Pearce Mamur Zapt (BNC) 43 Men found her formidable and she advanced into her twenties, long past the usual marrying age, without Nuri having received a single offer.
c. The act of offering a price or equivalent for something; a bid. under offer: having had a price offered or bid made.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > buying > [noun] > bidding or offering to buy
biddinga1400
offering1483
offerc1550
c1550 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 257 For your hofer, it likes not; I shud a sold it, I truste, for 4s. or better.
1669 in M. Wood Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1950) 67 Whither the unfreemen that makes the offer does sell ther commodities at lower rates than they offer to the counsell.
1721 J. Swift Bubble xx When stock is high they come between, Making by secondhand their offers.
1890 Times 19 July 16/1 The proprietor does not bind himself to accept the highest or any offer.
1895 H. G. Wells Let. May in N. Mackenzie & J. Mackenzie Time Traveller (1973) vii. 110 The Island of Dr Moreau is under offer with Methuens..and from what Henley says it's going to go.
1986 K. Moore Moving House x. 120 The board by the gate now said ‘Under Offer’.
1993 G. Stedman Takeovers (BNC) 86 In a contested bid, the offerer will need to think carefully about what arguments it will put forward in order to persuade the target's shareholders to accept the offer against their board's recommendations.
d. The condition of being offered; (Marketing) the fact of being offered for sale, esp. at a reduced price, as a sales promotion. on offer: available or obtainable; (also) on sale.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > [noun] > offering for sale
utteringc1400
cheaping1580
market1604
offer1794
venditation1854
marketing1884
offering1884
society > trade and finance > selling > [adverb] > on sale
to sella1300
to salec1380
to set on (or a) sale1546
a-sale1553
for salea1616
on offer1881
society > trade and finance > selling > [noun] > offering for sale > fact of being offered at low price
offer1971
1794 G. Morris in J. Sparks Life G. Morris (1832) III. 48 A chateau was in my offer on most eligible terms.
1881 Daily News 23 Aug. 3/6 (Market Report) Old wheat scarce and dear. Very little barley on offer.
1898 Daily News 24 Oct. 2/7 There are plenty of orders on offer, but owing to the high price of raw material they are not very eagerly accepted.
1941 D. O'Callaghan Long Life Reminisc. 239 He and Ford received £1,000 reward from the Government..for finding a payable goldfield. That reward is always on offer.
1966 Listener 9 June 830/1 The cheaper and nastier Hollywood series, which are always on offer.
1971 Woman's Own 27 Mar. 21 Next week..bargain vanity case offer.
1987 Observer 20 Sept. 41/3 There are two collections of Chinese snuff bottles on offer, being sold on successive days.
1992 Today (BNC) Advt. Special pre-Christmas offers..such as Panasonic Ladyshave half-price.
2000 Business Day (S. Afr.) 28 Jan. 11/2 They are urged to book ‘de-stressing’ treatments such as massage and reflexology, to drink the herbal teas on offer throughout the day [etc.].
e. Stock Market. offer for sale n. an invitation to the general public to purchase the stock of a company, usually at a fixed price and through an intermediary, as a means of flotation on a stock market.
ΚΠ
1930 A. Palmer Company Secretarial Pract. vi. 46 Any document by which the offer for sale is made shall..be deemed to be a prospectus issued by the company.
1959 Chambers's Encycl. III. 83/1 Both the offer for sale and the placing generally involve the interposition of a temporary buyer between the original vendor and the ultimate purchaser.
1989 Bookseller 12 May 1627/1 Offers for sale require the publication of the full prospectus in at least two national newspapers.
1998 E. Bignell Which? Way to save & Invest (ed. 10) xvi. 263 The most usual method for marketing a new issue is an offer for sale by an issuing house, often a merchant bank. The issuing house puts advertisements in newspapers giving details of the company and offering a stated number of shares at a stated price (the prospectus).
f. colloquial (originally U.S.). to make someone an offer he or she can't refuse: to make someone a proposal that it is impolitic to decline, either because of coercion or threat, or because it is particularly advantageous.Originally popularized by Francis Ford Coppola's film The Godfather (1972), based on the novel by Mario Puzo (see quot. 1969).
ΚΠ
1969 M. Puzo Godfather i. i. 39 ‘He's a businessman,’ the Don said blandly. ‘I'll make him an offer he can't refuse.’
1976 B. Took Laughter in Air i. 11 Theatre magnates still held the whip hand, making offers they couldn't refuse to Arthur Askey and Jack Warner for stage versions of their hit radio shows.
1993 A. L. Kennedy Looking for Possible Dance 90 These agents pretend they're from the union, they find out who needs money round the place, then they make them offers they can't refuse.
2001 Esquire Apr. 102/1 Making twenty-five-year-old shortstop Alex Rodriguez an offer he can't refuse: $252 million over ten years, plus bonus and escalator clauses.
2. That which is offered.† a. Something presented in worship or devotion; an offering. Obsolete.† b. Something presented for acceptance. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > sacrifice or a sacrifice > [noun] > one who or that which undergoes
offeringOE
offering-lakec1175
offeranda1225
sacrificec1250
hosta1340
presenta1400
hostie1483
victim1497
obleya1500
offer1548
offrage1548
oblation1561
human sacrifice1569
anathema1573
victimate1583
immolation1586
deodatea1600
vict1639
anatheme1655
1548 E. Gest Treat. againste Masse Ded. 3 No man must attempt to appear before him whithoute hys offre, more or less.
1590 Sir P. Sidney Covntesse of Pembrokes Arcadia ii. xvii. f. 176 Faire streames,..let the tribute-offer of my teares vnto you, procure your stay a while.
1840 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) III. vii. 105 A tuft of flax to a Grecian bride Was ancient Hymen's offer.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > [noun] > that which is offered
offer1637
1637 J. Milton Comus 24 Were it a draft for Iuno when she banquets I would not tast thy treasonous offer.
c. colloquial or regional. An opportunity or opening, a chance to catch or seize something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > an opportunity > [noun]
chance1297
occasiona1382
leisurec1386
opportunitya1387
advantage1487
portunity1516
in the nick1565
mean1592
vantage?1592
occasionet1593
overture1610
hinta1616
largeness1625
convenience1679
tid1721
opening1752
offer1831
slant1837
show1842
showing1852
show-up1883
window of opportunity1942
op1978
1831 S. Lover Legends & Stories Ireland 9 The first offer afther I make her as good as new.
1877 Coursing Cal. Autumn 1876 302 Napoleon went past Countess in the race to the hare, and..never gave his antagonist an offer.
1925 Dial. Notes 5 337 Offer, a chance (at seals).
1937 St. Andrews Citizen 17 July 2 Few fish were seen rising, and many of the competitors never got an ‘offer’.
1988 Trout & Salmon June 26/3 Though it [sc. a pod] looked very promising and was ideal throughout its length for the fly, we were a bit dispirited..when darkness drew in and we were still without an offer.
3. † b. A knob or bud showing on a stag's antler. Obsolete.
a. Now regional. An attempt at doing something, or a show of this; the act of aiming at something, an aim, a try.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > [noun] > an attempt
tastec1330
assayc1386
proffera1400
proof?a1400
pluck?1499
saymenta1500
minta1522
attemptate1531
attempt1548
attemption1565
say1568
trice1579
offer1581
fling1590
tempt1597
essay1598
trial1614
tentative1632
molition1643
conamen1661
put1661
tentamen1673
conatus1722
shot1756
go1784
ettle1790
shy1824
hack1830
try1832
pop1839
slap1840
venture1842
stagger1865
flutter1874
whack1884
whirl1884
smack1889
swipe1892
buck1913
lash1941
wham1957
play1961
1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha i. iv. 22 To represse all intention of vproare and force..before that it shoulde grow vp to any offer of daunger.
1597 F. Bacon Ess. f. 31v Many inceptions are..imperfect offers, and essayes.
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 158 The right side..[is] too thick, and must by several offers be Filed away,..not all at once.
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 526 One sees in it a kind of Offer at Modern Architecture.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 118. ⁋2 He had no sooner spoke these Words, but he made an Offer of throwing himself into the Water.
1749 E. Synge Let. 5 Sept. (1996) 163 It is more difficult in this than in the other. Jeny has made an offer at this.
1842 S. Lover Handy Andy xv. 140 You'd make a fair offer at anything but an answer to your school-master.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. (at cited word) In practising any athletics, or aiming at a mark, it is very common to hear, ‘That was a good offer, then!’.
1937 P. K. Devine Folklore of Newfoundland 35 I'm going to make an offer towards building a punt in the spring.
1953 M. Traynor Eng. Dial. Donegal 201/1 Offer, an attempt. He made a good offer at it. An offer's as good as a blow.
1968 in Dict. Newfoundland Eng. (1982) II. 356/1 He med an offer to ket [catch] me, but I hauled clear of him.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > male > [noun] > body and parts > antler > knob forming beginning or tip of
broach1575
button1575
croche1575
tenderlings1575
bud1593
peg1611
scrotcher1611
seal1611
velvet tip1638
crocket1870
offer1884
nubbin1978
1884 R. Jefferies Red Deer iv. 69 Little knobs appear on the beam like points about to grow, which are said to be ‘offers’, as if a point had offered to grow there.
1893 Athenæum 1 Apr. 400/2 A splendid red deer from Morena—with fourteen good points and an ‘offer’ or two.
Compounds
offer document n. Business a document containing details of a takeover bid which is sent to the shareholders of the target company.
ΚΠ
1968 City Code on Take-overs & Mergers 27 Mar. 9 The offer document must state the shareholdings of the offeror company in the offeree company.
1999 Financial Times 9 Oct. 16/2 Bankers are divided over whether a surprise bidder should strike quickly, or use as much of the 28 days allowed between announcement and offer document as possible to retain maximum flexibility.
offer price n. Stock Market the price at which a share or commodity is offered for sale to an investor.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > [noun] > asking or selling price
asking1589
sale price?1714
asking price1755
selling price1815
ask price1874
offer price1925
ask1981
1925 W. C. Mitchell in Amer. Econ. Rev. 15 5 It seems unlikely that the quantative workers will retain a keen interest in imaginary individuals coming to imaginary markets with ready-made scales of bid and offer prices.
1964 J. W. Hazard & M. Christie Investm. Business xvii. 249 For the other five [listings], a broker-dealer who does not wish to submit an actual bid or offer price may insert OW (offer wanted) in the bid column and BW (bid wanted) in the offer column.
1991 Euromoney Jan. 59/3 Previously dealers had to live off the spread between the bid price at which they bought paper from issuers and the offer price at which they sold to investors.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
Offern.2
/ˈɒfə/, U.S. /ˈɔfər/, /ˈɑfər/ The Office of Electricity Regulation, a regulatory body set up in 1989 to supervise the operation of the British electricity industry after its privatization and disbanded in 1999 with the formation of Ofgem.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > control > [noun] > regulation > specific regulatory bodies
Monopolies Commission1948
Oftel1982
Ofgas1985
Ofwat1986
Offer1989
Ofgem1999
1989 Economist 25 Feb. 26/2 The appointee will run the Office of Electricity Regulation (Offer), the watchdog that will regulate electricity after its 1990–91 privatisation.
1993 Ann. Rev. 1993 (Southern Electric plc) 2 During the year we..improved our performance in both overall and guaranteed standards of service developed with the Office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER) and significantly reduced disconnections.
1998 Which? Aug. 4/2 The electricity watchdog, Offer, has started to approve new codes of practice for the 15 companies who'll be competing for your custom when the market begins opening up this autumn.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
offerv.
/ˈɒfə/, U.S. /ˈɔfər/, /ˈɑfər/ 1. † b. intransitive with object implied. To present a sacrifice or offering as an act of worship; to sacrifice. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To present (something) to God, a god, a saint, etc., as an act of devotion; to sacrifice; to give in worship. Frequently as to offer up. Also with to or indirect object (in early use, dative).The object may be a material thing, as a slain animal, vegetable produce, incense, money, etc. (cf. offering n. 3); or, by extension, prayer, thanksgiving, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > sacrifice or a sacrifice > sacrifice [verb (transitive)]
offereOE
teemc1275
sacrea1325
sacrify1390
sacrificea1400
presentc1425
exhibit1490
immolate1548
immole1610
shrine?1611
victim1671
victimize1853
oblate1872
eOE (Mercian) Vespasian Psalter (1965) lxv. 13 (15) Holocausta medullata offeram tibi : onsegdnisse merglice ic ofriu ðe.
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 2nd Ser. (Cambr. Gg.3.28) xxx. 266 Hit wæs gewunelic..þæt man gode ðyllice lac offrode on cucan orfe.
OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Exod. (Claud.) xii. 6 Ofrian eall Israhela folc ðæt [lamb] on æfen.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1003 Aȝȝ wass sallt wiþþ iwhillc lac Biforenn drihhtin offredd.
a1225 ( Ælfric's Homily In Die Sancto Pentecosten (Lamb. 487) in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 87 Heo sculden offrien of elchan hiwscipe gode an lomb.
c1275 Kentish Serm. in J. Hall Select. Early Middle Eng. (1920) I. 214 (MED) Þrie kinges..wolden offri him gold and stor and Mirre.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) 1 Cor. x. 20 Tho thingis that hethene men offren, thei offren to deuelis and not to God.
1463 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 27 (MED) The seid preests to haue j d. ob. to offre at the messe.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 2881 He offert onestly in honour of Venus A gobet of gold.
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Bii Christ was once offered for al To satisfie for all our synne.
a1564 Q. Kennedy Compend. Ressonyng in 2 Eucharistic Tracts (1964) 182 The preist, to quhom It appertenit to..offir vp sacrifice.
1578 Ps. li, in Dalyell Scotish Poems 16th Cent. (1801) II. 119 Gif thou had pleased sacrifice I suld have offered thee.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge iii. ii. sig. F I haue a prayer or two, to offer vp.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 792 Then did he offer Incense to Vitzliputzli.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 160. ¶2 After having washed my self and offered up my Morning Devotions.
1761 F. Sheridan Mem. Miss Sidney Bidulph 211 She offered up a prayer that it might turn out as my lord V— had suggested.
1868 Ld. Tennyson Lucretius 69 I would not one of thine own doves, Not ev'n a rose, were offer'd to thee.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 311 Offer up a prayer with me and follow.
1954 J. Corbett Temple Tiger 55 The greybeards of the village..had consulted the stars and offered up prayers.
1997 W. Dalrymple From Holy Mountain (1998) iii. 140 They call Lucifer ‘Malik Taws’, the Peacock Angel, and offer sacrifices to keep him happy.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > sacrifice or a sacrifice > sacrifice [verb (intransitive)]
offereOE
sacrificec1290
sacrifya1325
immolate1628
eOE tr. Orosius Hist. (BL Add.) (1980) i. xiv. 34 Mesiane noldon ðæt Læcedemonia mægdenmenn mid heora ofreden.
OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Exod. (Claud.) v. 1 Forlæt min folc, þæt hit mæge offrian me on þam westene.
a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 37 (MED) Gif ðu riht offrest and noht riht ne sciftst, ðu senegest mare ðan ðu god do.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 325 (MED) Brut..offrede to þis maumet & honoured it inow.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xiii. 197 And þe pore widwe for a peire of mytes, þan alle þo that offreden in-to gazafilacium.
a1450 (?c1400) Three Kings Cologne (Royal) (1886) 133 All þe pepil..come & visitid hem and offrid to hem wiþ gret deuocioun.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lvii. 191 We..are goyng to offre at ye holy sepulcre.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Svpper of the Lorde f. cxxvi So many as are disposed, shall offer vnto the poore mennes boxe.
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 92 Bannyans have repayred to offer here and to wash away their sinnes in Ganges.
1725 D. Cotes tr. L. E. Du Pin New Eccl. Hist. 17th Cent. I. v. 139 When it is forbidden in the Canons to the Deacons to offer.
1893 G. L. Kittredge in Atlantic Monthly 72 830/2 Those who offer to his relics and receive his absolution.
2. † b. intransitive. To give something as a present or offering. Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To give or present (something), spec. to a superior as an act of homage, etc. Also figurative. Now historical.The first two quots. may be regarded as intermediate between 1, 2, the context being religious.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > present
offerlOE
present?1316
representa1500
subvect?1572
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough interpolation) anno 1013 Ælfsige..bohte..Sancte Florentines lichaman eall buton þe heafod to v hundred punda, &..offrede hit Crist & Sancte Peter.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) (Peterborough interpolation) anno 963 He nam up Sc̃a Kyneburh & S. Kynesuið þe lægen in Castra,..& brohte heom to Burch, and offrede heom eall S. Peter on an dæi.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3619 Ðis folc..Offreden him siluer and golde.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. 4512 Whan þis grete lordynges sawe Cesar offer þam suilk thynges.
1411 Rolls of Parl. III. 650/2 Offre yow v c mark to ben paied at youre will.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxxix That all his heyres..should offer a hart of lyke weight and value, as a releue & homage done.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 193 To sweare vnto him homage and fealtie, the which euery one..did willyngly offer.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 166 Humblie thay [sc. the Romans] pray King Galdie..for thair lyfe, offiring thame selfes and al that thay haue vnto his Grace.
1782 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. v. 136 The kings beyond the Tigris and the Euphrates congratulated his election and offered him their homage and services.
1869 L. M. Alcott Little Women II. ii. 21 And all, from the rosiest full-blown flower to the palest baby-bud, offered their tribute of beauty and fragrance to the gentle mistress who had loved them so long.
1900 F. W. Pixley Hist. Baronetage v. 237 At the funeral of James I., the Standard of the Crest of Ireland was borne and offered by a Baronet, Sir Thomas Button.
1988 J. Matthews & B. Stewart Warriors of Christendom (BNC) 71 After this, most of the east and south-east of Moorish Spain offered tribute to El Cid, acknowledging him as their overlord.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (intransitive)] > as a present
offer1633
1633 Printer to Understanders in J. Donne's Poems sig. A2 Whereas it hath pleased some, who had studyed and did admire him, to offer to the memory of the Author, not long after his decease, I have thought I should do you service in presenting them unto you now.
1671 L. Addison W. Barbary 186 The Negro's likewise call every one by name who Offer, saying Fulano (or such an one) lays on so much.
3. intransitive. With infinitive. To propose or express one's readiness (to do something) if the person addressed assents. Also †transitive (reflexive) and with implied infinitive taken from the context.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb (intransitive)] > express one's readiness to do something
bid?c1225
offer?a1425
volunteer1840
?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 54 (MED) Þei offren hem to do all þat the berere asketh.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) v. 1741 (MED) Nestor..Roos vp anoon lyk a manly knyȝt, Offringe him silf..Þis hiȝe quarel for to vndirtake.
1433 Rolls of Parl. IV. 425/1 My said Lord of Bedford..offerd and agreed hym to serve þe Kyng.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lix. 203 He offeryth to make amendes.
1588 Hunsdon in Border Papers (1894) I. 306 I..did offer to send Sir John Selby and towe others to confer with them.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 185 They haue too great plenty, and offred to sell vs some.
1727 P. Walker Remarkable Passages 140 (Jam.) Friends would not suffer them to put their hands to a handspaik, tho' they offered.
1796 F. Burney Camilla III. vi. x. 325 She offered to pin her up a turban.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate I. i. 31 He had offered to accompany her to Belton.
1906 J. Conrad Mirror of Sea xxi. 108 He did not offer to help me or himself.
1993 J. Evans Dangerous Diagnosis (BNC) One of the nurses is coming ashore with us—she offered. I didn't want anyone to go to that sort of trouble.
2001 Times 16 Nov. i. 8/5 Canada said that it had offered to provide 1,000 rapid-deployment soldiers for humanitarian missions in Afghanistan.
4.
a. transitive. To present or tender for acceptance or refusal; to hold out (a thing) to a person to take if he or she so desires. (Now the usual sense.) With indirect object and direct object, or direct object and to, †unto.Either the direct object or the indirect object or object of to may be the subject of the passive voice; e.g. ‘the place was offered to him’, or ‘he was offered the place’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (transitive)]
i-bedea800
bidOE
make?a1160
forthc1200
bihedec1275
proffera1325
yielda1382
dressc1384
to serve fortha1393
dight1393
pretend1398
nurnc1400
offerc1425
profita1450
tent1459
tend1475
exhibit1490
propine1512
presentc1515
oblate1548
pretence1548
defer?1551
to hold forth1560
prefer1567
delatea1575
to give forth1584
tender1587
oppose1598
to hold out1611
shore1787
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. 1256 Or þat we procede by rigour, We schal to hem offern al mesour.
c1475 tr. C. de Pisan Livre du Corps de Policie (Cambr.) (1977) 147 (MED) It was offred him aftir the customes of Rome..an hundred iourneyes of londe.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. xlixv To inquyre what raunsome he wold offre.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Sam. xxiv. 12 I offer thee three things; chuse thee one of them. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) ii. i. 377 Nay, I haue offred all, I haue no more, And she can haue no more then all I haue. View more context for this quotation
1624 Briefe Information Affaires Palatinate 36 Hee was offered a Treatie of Peace.
1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius De Rebus Belgicis 43 He offered himself as a Peacemaker between them.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. iii. 18 A small Cure of fifteen pounds a year was offered me.
1786 F. Burney Court Jrnls. & Lett. (2011) I. 9 I was offered the seat..at the head of the Table.
1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest II. ix. 49 I cannot accept the honour you offer me.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 116 One of the ringleaders..was offered a pardon if he would own that Queensberry had set him on.
1875 J. W. Dawson Life's Dawn on Earth Pref. 7 I offer no apology.
1954 I. Murdoch Under Net viii. 122 He offered the rest of his bottle to Finn, and it was not refused.
2001 Broadcast 26 Oct. 32/2 I reckon I've offered him..virtually every job going since I joined.
b. transitive. To present for sale. Frequently as to offer for (formerly †to) sale.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > sell [verb (transitive)] > expose or offer for sale
cheapa1225
to set out13..
to put forthc1350
utter?c1400
market1455
offer1472
lovea1500
pitch1530
to set on (or a) sale1546
exposea1610
to bring to market1639
huckster1642
shop1688
deal1760
to put on the market1897
merchandise1926
1472–5 Rolls of Parl. VI. 155/1 It is ordeyned..that all maner such Clothes of Gold..offred to sale be sealed with the said Seales.
1536 in E. Beveridge Burgh Rec. Dunfermline (1917) 17 Gif thai by othir hyd or skyn and offer it nocht to the cors it salbe mayd chayt.
1609 J. Skene Regiam Majestatem II. f. 8v The merchandises..salbe presented to the mercat, and mercat crosse of Burghis; And there..salbe offered to the merchants.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 25 I understand that your Steward hath offered to sale your goods.
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero I. v. 370 A particular estate..which she was now offering to sale.
1899 Daily News 29 May 10/5 Short attendance and very little wheat offering.
1978 C. Rayner Long Acre xiii. 134 It was late in March, when the flower-sellers at the street corners were offering bunches of violets and primroses and occasionally even daffodils.
1991 M. Binney & M. Watson-Smyth Save Britain's Heritage Action Guide (BNC) 89 Has the freehold building been offered for sale on the open market?
c. transitive to offer battle (also war, etc.). Now chiefly archaic or historical.Perhaps related to sense 5.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > offer (battle)
profferc1380
to offer battlea1475
present1579
a1475 ( S. Scrope tr. Dicts & Sayings Philosophers (Bodl. 943) (1999) 26 (MED) Whenne thou offriste bataile, first lete thi peple bee set therfore.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. lxiiij So great a number of ennemies are assembled to offer battell.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Panaetius Rhodius in Panoplie Epist. 218 To keepe off Fortune furiously offering the combate.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) v. ii. 167 I am asham'd that women are so simple, To offer warre, where they should kneele for peace. View more context for this quotation
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy II. vi. 128 The trades..offered downright battle to the commons.
1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VI. li. 239 Darius..was about to meet him and to offer battle.
1987 N. Tranter Flowers of Chivalry (BNC) 136 When you have to face King Edward's assault, it would be with an armed host, offering battle.
d. transitive. To suggest (an amount, etc.) that one is willing to provide in a proposed transaction, esp. a purchase; to make an offer of, to bid. Frequently with for. Also intransitive: to make a bid.Cf. also quot. 1548 at sense 4a.
ΚΠ
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. ccxxv. f. cxlvii/2 The kynge called before hym the .ii. Munkis seuerally & eyther out proferyd other;... Than the Kynge called hym [sc. the third] and asked if he wolde geue any more than his bretherne had offered to be Abbot.
1587 P. Gray Let. 12 Jan. in R. S. Rait & I. C. Cameron King James's Secret (1927) v. 147 And in speciall we offreit as is set down.
1663 R. Boyle Usef. Exper. Nat. Philos. ii. ii. 79 I inquired of him, whether he had met with a remedy that could dissolve the stone, offering him much more for a cure of that kind, then he would require as a lithotomist.
1712–13 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 14 Mar. I doubt I shall not buy the library; for a roguey bookseller has offered sixty pounds more than I designed to give.
1837 C. Dickens Let. ?24 Feb. (1965) I. 238 I have offered for the house I mentioned.
1886 Athenæum 3 July 18/1 He was offered 240/. for a lot of early mezzos.
1924 G. B. Shaw St. Joan iv. 41 The Chaplain: You have first to catch her, my lord. The Nobleman: Or buy her. I will offer a king's ransom.
1965 A. J. P. Taylor Eng. Hist. 1914–45 iii. 83 He [sc. Lloyd George] offered Redmond the previous bargain: immediate Home Rule for twenty-six counties, and a final settlement after the war.
1989 Bookseller 13 Jan. 79/1 NI offered for Collins in November.
1996 Independent 22 Feb. 12/2 A British tabloid was offering £50,000 for the first exclusive shot.
e. intransitive. To make an offer or proposal; spec. to make an offer of marriage, to propose (now chiefly archaic or regional).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (intransitive)]
profferc1400
offer1587
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > proposal of marriage > propose marriage [verb (intransitive)]
pop1573
offer1587
speaka1616
proposea1771
1587 R. S. Rait & A. I. Cameron King James's Secret 147 And in speciall we offreit as is set doun.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 v. i. 114 We offer faire, take it aduisedly. Prin. It will not be accepted. View more context for this quotation
1797 J. Farington Diary 2 July (1923) I. lx. 210 Lord Lansdowne offered to Miss Molesworth. She..in an agony said she could not marry him.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess iii. 54 I offer boldly: we will seat you highest.
1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour i. i. 2 He never hesitated about offering to a lady, after a three days' acquaintance.
1903 S. Macplowter Mrs McCraw 41 Ye met an auld sweethert o' yer ain in Dumfarlin', an' ye offered till er richt awa'.
1997 C. Brookmyre Country of Blind (2001) vii. 175 ‘Ach, your mother wouldnae have it,’ he said. ‘What? Have you offered?’ ‘Aye. But she'll no let me build a fire on the kitchen flair.’
f. transitive. With indirect object and infinitive as direct object (the object being what the person is permitted to do or have). Now rare.
ΚΠ
1631 W. Saltonstall Picturæ Loquentes E iij b At your first alighting hee straight offers you to see a Chamber.
1654 D. Osborne Lett. (1888) 263 If he offers me to stay here, this hole will be more agreeable to my humour than any place that is more in the world.
1808 J. Wolcot One more Peep at Royal Acad. in Wks. (1816) IV. 405 To move a mennow, who would wish—In paltry brooks a paltry fish—While Nature offers him to roll a whale!
1939 C. Morley Kitty Foyle 328 I offered him to go in the bathroom to wash.
g. transitive, with clause as object. To make a proposal, suggest (that something be done, is the case, etc.). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > suggestion, proposal > suggest [verb (transitive)]
suggest1526
prepose?1541
propose1566
propound1585
offer1660
vote1698
suppose1762
the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb (transitive)] > propose
proffera1375
movea1382
adjustc1450
advance1509
to make words1645
offer1660
overturea1665
volunteer1818
1660 A. Marvell Let. 20 Nov. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 3 Some offerd..that onely the Lands in Capite wch receive the benefit should be taxed with the revenue.
1727 A. Pope et al. Περι Βαθους: Art of Sinking 71 in J. Swift et al. Misc.: Last Vol. It is therefore humbly offer'd, that all and every Individual of the Bathos do enter into a firm Association.
1872 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch III. vi. liv. 198 Sir James was much pained and offered that they should all migrate to Cheltenham for a few months with the sacred ark.
1988 R. Shilts Band Played On iii. vi. 56 Weisman offered that the men's immune systems might have been shattered by some new cytomegalovirus.
h. transitive (reflexive). To present oneself to a person for acceptance or refusal; to put oneself forward, spec. as a suitor or sexual partner.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > offer or action of offering > offer [verb (reflexive)]
profferc1300
to put fortha1393
proponea1500
offer1739
to put forward1849
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > proposal of marriage > propose marriage [verb (reflexive)]
offer1739
to declare oneself1841
1739 J. Hildrop Ess. Free-thinking 14 All such as should at any time offer themselves as Candidates to be Gremial or Honourary Members of our Society.
1765 H. Walpole Castle of Otranto i. 18 In short, Isabella, since I cannot give you my son [in marriage], I offer you myself.
1816 B. Waterhouse Jrnl. in Mag. Hist. (1911) 18 xi. 367 The sea-ports..are filled with handsome women who offer themselves as ‘wives’ to men they never saw before, for a few shillings.
1886 O. Wilde Let. in More Lett. (1985) 61 I beg to offer myself as a candidate for the Secretaryship to the Beaumont Trust Fund.
1893 M. E. Mann In Summer Shade II. xi. 28 I have this evening offered myself to Mary Burne, and she has accepted me.
1903 Eng. Dial. Dict. IV. 332/2 He did nothing but offer himself for her for so long as she lived.
1930 G. B. Shaw Apple Cart ii. 75 It is my intention to offer myself to the Royal Borough of Windsor as a candidate at the forthcoming General Election.
1951 J. Cornish Provincials 62 He rather frightened me; he was big and spotty and at first he thought I was offering myself.
1993 L. Pemberton Platinum Coast (BNC) 245 Still damp from the sea and glistening in the moonlight, she offered herself to him again.
i. intransitive. To put oneself forward in a particular capacity or for a particular office; to stand as a candidate, etc. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > appointment to office > choosing or fact of being chosen for office > choose for office [verb (intransitive)] > offer oneself as candidate
stand1542
to put up1705
offer1766
run1806
candidate1848
campaign1884
announce1892
1766 J. Wedgwood Let. 4 June in Sel. Lett. (1965) 40 Some of our friends suspected a Candidate would offer who lived at too great a distance from the centre of the business.
1784 J. Woodforde Diary 23 Aug. (1926) II. 150 This Morning one Sally Barber..came here to offer as a Servant in Betty's Place.
1803 W. R. Davie Let. 20 Aug. in Papers of John Steele (1924) I. 405 The Gentlemen who prevailed upon me ‘to offer’ as they call it, consisted principally of the moderate men of both parties.
1835 A. B. Longstreet Georgia Scenes 234 Then lowering his voice to a confidential but distinctly audible tone, ‘what you offering for?’ continued he.
1976 Methodist Church Minutes Ann. Conf. Preston & Church Yearbk. 74 He offered for the United Methodist ministry.
j. transitive, with direct speech as object. To say, suggest, esp. tentatively or helpfully.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > carefully or with restraint
drib1533
mincea1616
venture1638
offer1881
1881 M. Crommelin Miss Daisy Dimity I. ii. 32 ‘There are two hens to be set with Brahma eggs this morning, and a brood of young Cochins coming out,’ offered Polly hesitatingly.
1894 ‘R. Andom’ We Three & Troddles iv. 21 ‘A coffee-mill,’ suggested Wilks. ‘Or a sewing machine,’ I offered.
1973 J. Rossiter Manipulators v. 51 ‘Perhaps,’ Bradley offered helpfully, ‘you've been name-calling somebody. And they didn't like it.’
1989 A. Brookner Lewis Percy (1990) viii. 122 ‘I've seen you on television,’ offered Tissy.
k. transitive. Telecommunications. To direct (a call) to a destination, user, device, etc., on a telecommunication network.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > communicate with by telephone [verb (transitive)] > methods or procedures
to put through1880
multiple1906
place1907
offer1950
switch1971
to camp on1977
1950 J. Atkinson Herbert & Procter's Teleph. (new ed.) II. ii. 33/2 It is readily possible to read off the traffic offered to any particular contact for any value of total traffic.
1960 Post Office Electr. Engineers' Jrnl. 53 76/2 This form of control will facilitate the provision of automatic alternative routing, which will permit traffic to be offered to a direct route and then, if all circuits are engaged, to overflow to the transit network.
2002 www.erlang.com 12 Nov. (O.E.D. Archive) The Call Minutes Calculator is used to work out how many lines a trunk group requires if the number of minutes of traffic offered to that trunk group in one day are known.
5. † c. intransitive. Chiefly with at. To make an attempt at or upon; to aim at. Cf. sense 5b and offer n.1 3a. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To attempt or intend to do (harm); to try to inflict (violence, or injury of any kind). Cf. also 4c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)] > attempt (attack, injury, or resistance)
profferc1380
offer1530
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] > launch or make (an attack)
deliver1433
offer1530
launch1916
mount1952
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 646/1 Every man offerith hym wronge.
a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1604) sig. Ev For the iniury hee offred me heere in your presence.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 209 That hath enragde him on to offer strokes. View more context for this quotation
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 708 [They] avenged themselves for such wrongs as by the Turkes..had beene formerly offered them.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. xxviii. 84 The insults which he offered to an ancient chapel of Bacchus.
1885 W. D. Howells Rise Silas Lapham xiv. 273 Nothing but the surveillance of the local policeman prevents my offering personal violence to those long rows of..brutally insensible houses.
1934 R. Graves I, Claudius xxvi. 365 They would be afraid to offer violence to Castor's surviving son by Livilla.
1996 C. Bateman Of Wee Sweetie Mice & Men xxxvi. 281 Another time, another place, and I suspect Matchitt would have..insisted on a seat or offered violence.
b. transitive. With infinitive. To make an attempt or show of intention (to do something); to essay, try, endeavour. In early use frequently with the suggestion of hardihood: to venture, dare, presume (to do a thing). Now chiefly regional.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] > to do something
cuneOE
seekc1000
fanda1225
suec1325
tastec1330
enforcec1340
study1340
temptc1384
intendc1385
assaila1393
proffera1393
to make meansc1395
search?a1400
fraistc1400
pursuec1400
to go aboutc1405
pretend1482
attempta1513
essay?1515
attend1523
regarda1533
offer1541
frame1545
to stand about1549
to put into (also in) practice1592
prove1612
imitate1626
snap1766
begin1833
make1880
1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance xv. f. 29 After that the emperour had concluded in this wise his reson, there was no man offred to reply therto.
a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) iii. v. sig. F.ij I knocke your costarde if ye offer to strike me.
1613 T. Jackson Eternall Truth Script. ii. xxx. §17 Heauing and offering with might and maine to get out.
1648 Bp. J. Hall Breathings Devout Soul xlv. 76 I may not offer to look into the bosoms of men, which thou hast reserved for thy self.
1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ii. 34 You should not offer to cut the Grooves to their full width at the first.
1722 R. Wodrow Suffering III. viii. § 5 So benummed with Cold, that when they offered to write, their Hands would not serve them.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate III. ii. 37 He did not offer to kiss her.
1886 R. E. G. Cole Gloss. Words S.-W. Lincs. (at cited word) He mut lig on the bed, and sit up on end a bit, afore he offers to walk.
1919 J. Conrad Arrow of Gold v. v She made no sound. She didn't offer to stir.
1954 Banffshire Herald 6 Mar. It was ‘offering to snow’ at the time.
1976 E. L. Ryland Richmond Co. Virginia 374 As sick as he was, that dog offered to stand up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)]
fandOE
assayc1300
tryc1315
provec1330
adventurea1387
sayc1390
paina1400
havec1400
practisea1450
afforcec1487
afond1488
attempta1538
procure1574
endeavour1581
offer1611
poacha1616
attent1620
to venture at1623
essay1641
attentate1656
smacka1657
tempt1697
to try at1794
to have a go1802
to make a (good, poor, etc.) fist1833
tackle1847
to have or take a whack at1891
to make (or have, etc.) a stab at (something)1895
to have a dash (at)1916
1611 B. Jonson Catiline ii. sig. D2 Offring at wit, too? Why, Galla! Where hast thou been? View more context for this quotation
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης Pref. sig. B3v This Man, who hath offer'd at more cunning fetches to undermine our Liberties..then any Brittish King before him.
1684 Bp. G. Burnet tr. T. More Utopia 36 The Jests at which he offered were so cold and dull.
1686 Bp. G. Burnet Some Lett. conc. Switzerland iii. 174 I will not offer at a description of the Glorious Chappel.
1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome iii. 521 Several offer'd at the Empire during his time, who came to nothing.
1790 A. Wheeler Westmorland Dial. (1820) 40 Thah mud a done it long sin, but thah's nivver offered.
1847 J. W. Carlyle Lett. II. 3 He did not offer at coming in.
1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xiv. 141 There ain't no danger, gentlefolks..she'd [sc. a cat] never offer at the birds when I was here, unless I told her to it.
d. transitive. To make an effort at (attack or resistance).
ΚΠ
1863 P. Barry Dockyard Econ. 202 Offering..serious resistance from the forts and batteries.
1992 K. Tidrick Empire & Eng. Char. (BNC) 246 Two thousand five hundred volunteers advanced.., offering no serious resistance when the police laid about them with clubs.
6.
a. transitive. Of a thing: to present (something) to the sight, notice, etc.; to furnish, afford, give. Also reflexive: to present (itself).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide, afford, or yield
givec1200
providec1425
supporta1449
utter1547
yield1548
offer1550
afforda1568
servea1577
award1582
presenta1586
produce1585
deliver1605
officiate1667
furnish1754
to throw up1768
scale1853
1550 N. Udall tr. P. M. Vermigli Disc. Sacrament Lordes Supper sig. x4v Neyther is it the worke of nature that bread and wine should so mightely and so effectually signifie offre and represente the bodye and bloud of our lorde to bee comprehended wyth our myndes and wyth our feith.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 44 Sundrie circumstances which offered them selves to my judgement.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 56 A gravelly Forest with tall benty Grass, offers, besides its taking Look, diversity of Game.
1729 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. (ed. 2) Pref. p. i Though 'tis scarce possible to avoid judging..of almost every thing which offers itself to one's Thoughts.
1834 M. Somerville Connex. Physical Sci. (1835) iv. 42 Their motions offer the singular phenomenon of being retrograde.
1892 B. F. Westcott Gospel of Life 41 Each age offers its characteristic riddles.
1930 H. G. Wells Autocracy Mr. Parham iv. ii. 285 An unhoped for revanche offered itself plainly and clearly to the German people.
1961 I. Murdoch Severed Head ii. 18 A narrative of events which may..offer few opportunities for meditation.
1990 Times Educ. Suppl. 10 Aug. 36/3 Creative Sewing at the Pfaff School in Leeds offers..a chance to develop skills and creativity.
b. intransitive with reflexive meaning. Of an object, phenomenon, event, etc.: to present itself; to occur.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (intransitive)]
becomec888
i-tidec888
falleOE
ywortheOE
i-limp975
belimpOE
i-timeOE
worthOE
tidea1131
goa1200
arearc1275
syec1275
betide1297
fere1297
risea1350
to come aboutc1350
overcomea1382
passa1393
comea1400
to come in (also to, on, etc.) placea1400
eschew?a1400
chevec1400
shapec1400
hold1462
to come (also go) to pass1481
proceed?1518
occura1522
bechance1527
overpass1530
sorta1535
succeed1537
adventurec1540
to fall toc1540
success1545
to fall forth1569
fadge1573
beword?1577
to fall in1578
happen1580
event1590
arrive1600
offer1601
grow1614
fudge1615
incur1626
evene1654
obvene1654
to take place1770
transpire1775
to go on1873
to show up1879
materialize1885
break1914
cook1932
to go down1946
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. iii. v. 57 There offereth to our eye, first the towne Nicæa.
1696 London Gaz. No. 3222/3 If the Wind and Weather offer for his Embarking.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 141 Th' Occasion offers, and the Youth complies. View more context for this quotation
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 4. ⁋1 I..shall take any Thing that offers for the Subject of my Discourse.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. i. x. 89 Taking the first path that offered, we soon galloped out of the forest.
1891 A. H. Craufurd Gen. Craufurd & Light Div. 7 He..distinguished himself wherever an occasion offered.
1929 C. Williams-Ellis Architect xi. 130 Cubic space was..hard to come by in post-war London, and I had to start work again in just such offices as offered.
1991 I. Tree Ruling Passion John Gould (BNC) 73 Whenever a favourable opportunity offered, Captain McKellar obligingly allowed me the use of a boat.
7.
a. transitive. To bring forward or put forth for consideration; to propound.In quots. 1634, 1638: to give, to mention or cite by way of example.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > offering for inspection or consideration > offer for inspection or consideration [verb (transitive)]
i-taechec888
to lay … beforec1000
showlOE
givec1175
to lay outc1440
produce1459
propose1548
cite1549
product1563
broach1573
offer1583
to hold up1604
to bring in1608
project1611
to bring ona1715
to trot out1838
to bring up1868
muster1904
the mind > mental capacity > belief > suggestion, proposal > suggest [verb (transitive)] > for consideration
puta1350
purposea1382
propone1402
motion1505
exhibit1529
propound?1531
prefer1539
raise1566
to put forward1569
broach1579
start1579
offer1583
propose1614
first1628
to put it to a person1664
moot1685
suppose1771
pose1862
to put up1901
1583 Ld. Burghley Let. in T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. (1655) ix. 155 But now they coming to me, I offer how your Grace proceeded with them.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 43 I will offer you a little of the Arabian Tongue as is now spoken in that Countrey.
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 232 The rest I offer not, this in my conceit sufficing.
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes v. 316 When all that I have offered hath been duly considered.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) I. 524 We shall offer a few thoughts hereafter on this part of Harmony.
1874 A. Trollope Phineas Redux II. x. 77 The House would of course understand..that he was offering no opinion as to who was the perpetrator of the murder.
1978 H. Carpenter Inklings (1981) i. 12 They continued to read each other's poetry with interest, and to offer criticisms.
1993 J. Critchley Floating Voter (BNC) 144 She was cursorily examined by a female Indian doctor who offered no opinion.
b. transitive. Originally English regional. To put (a part of a structure, etc.) in place to see how it looks or whether it fits properly; to hold up or display (a thing) to test its appearance or correctness. Usually with up (occasionally with on).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > to see how it looks or whether it fits
offer1854
1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 73 One of his workmen said, ‘Shall I offer up, or offer on, that frame, to see if it will fit the picture?’
1887 W. D. Parish & W. F. Shaw Dict. Kentish Dial. 110 I once heard a master paper~hanger say to his assistant, when a customer was inspecting some wall-papers, ‘Just offer this paper up for the lady to see.’
1903 Eng. Dial. Dict. IV. 332/2 I will offer the shrubs before planting them.
1952 W. Granville Dict. Theatr. Terms 125 Offer up, to show the producer the position of a picture or an ornament for approval before fixing it permanently, particularly mirrors which reflect the stage lighting..Carpenters offer up doorways to fit into the door-frames, in fact they offer up anything before it is approved.
1990 Compl. Angler's Guide Spring 21/3 Now hold both slips in the thumb and forefinger of your right hand and offer them up to size the wing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > wish or be disposed or inclined [verb]
willeOE
listc1200
to be of (also in) (a) minda1325
to will well that1340
likea1375
to find in one's hearta1393
to have a minda1400
pleasec1450
set1470
to have a mind1530
care1560
fadge1592
please1611
choose1622
offer1639
to feel like1808
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. xiv. 192 They suspected him to be unsound in his religion, and offering to Christianity.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre v. xxv. 272 We find some straggling rayes and beams of valour offering that way.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
n.11433
n.21989
v.eOE- nonassentation
- nonassertive
- nonassertively
- nonassertiveness
- nonassimilable
- nonassistive
- nonassociated
- nonassociation
- nonassociative
- nonation
- nonatomic
- nonattached
- nonattachment
- nonattachments
- nonattendance
- nonattendances
- nonattendancy
- nonattendingly
- nonattention
- nonattributable
- nonattributably
- nonauditory
- nonautomatic
- nonavailabilities
- nonavailability