Af*ford" (ăf*fōrd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Afforded; p. pr. & vb. n. Affording.] [OE. aforthen, AS. geforðian, forðian, to further, accomplish, afford, fr. forð forth, forward. The prefix ge- has no well defined sense. See Forth.] 1. To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue; as, grapes afford wine; olives afford oil; the earth affords fruit; the sea affords an abundant supply of fish.

2. To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish; as, a good life affords consolation in old age.

His tuneful Muse affords the sweetest numbers.
Addison.

The quiet lanes . . . afford calmer retreats.
Gilpin.

3. To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury; as, A affords his goods cheaper than B; a man can afford a sum yearly in charity.

4. To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; -- with an auxiliary, as can, could, might, etc.; to be able or rich enough.

The merchant can afford to trade for smaller profits.
Hamilton.

He could afford to suffer
With those whom he saw suffer.
Wordsworth.

• To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; -- with an auxiliary, as can, could, might, etc.; to be able or rich enough.
       I think we can afford the extra hour it will take.
  
• To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury
       A affords his goods cheaper than B.
       A man can afford a sum yearly in charity.
  
• To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue.
       Grapes afford wine.
       Olives afford oil.
       The earth affords fruit.
       The sea affords an abundant supply of fish.
  
• To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to confer.
       A good life affords consolation in old age.