proffer — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An offer made; something proposed for acceptance by another; a tender.

   Synonyms

   proposition

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   [T]heir ovvn eies vvilbe perhaps more curious iudges, out of heareſay they may have builded many conceites, vvhich I can not perchaunce vvil not performe, then vvil vndeſerued repentance be a greater ſhame and iniurie vnto me, then their vndeſerued proffer, is honour.

   Her lips, man, her lips! and that's a proffer I would not make to every one who crosses my threshold. But, by good St Valentine, (whose holiday will dawn to-morrow,) I am so glad to see thee in the bonny city of Perth again, that it would be hard to tell the thing I could refuse thee.

   [H]ow, if you tell him this, will you make him understand that I say so as an act of justice, and not in the least as a proffer of affection?

   "Oh no," she refused demurely at their proffer of coffee. "I can't do that now. I-I — I don't know if Jo's told you our good news! Perhaps a glass of milk."

   More examples (1)

   He said a reversionary proffer – saying the property would revert to its prior zoning if certain benchmarks were not met by the developers – was brought up in a conceptual discussion in a pre-application meeting in May 2014 with the developers, but did not progress beyond that.

2. An attempt, an essay.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   [A]fter ſome reſiſtance with ſhotte and arrowes, and profer of onſet made by their horſemen, they were put to flight, [...]

   More examples (1)

   It is a Thing ſtrange in Nature, when it is attentiuely conſidered, How Children and ſome Birds, learne to imitate Speech. [...] It is true, that it is done with time, and by little and little, and with many Eſſayes and Proffers: But all this diſchargeth not the VVonder.

Verb

1. To offer for acceptance; to propose to give; to make a tender of.

   Usage

   • Reflexive
   • Transitive

   Examples

   to proffer friendship, a gift, or services

   Cæſar in this hath offered like himſelfe, / He proffereth to preſerue your tovvne vntouch'd: / Your goods, your vviues, your liues, your liberties: […]

   More examples (9)

   Thou proffers me of thy wages to have: / I thee defy, power, and all the leave, / That helps thee here of thy ſtout nation.

   If a Man, proffering to ſell Grain for Seed, ſhould ſell Grain which is not fit for Seed, the Magiſtrate ſhall chaſtiſe him, and take a Fine according to the Offence.

   Thou proud knight, what profferest thou me so boldly? here gettest thou no prey; thou mayest prove when thou wilt, for thou shalt be my prisoner, or thou depart.

   The ministry proffered various civil offices, which yielded not only honour but profit; but he declined them all, with the chivalrous independence and loyalty that had marked his character through life.

   They were to assure the strangers of a free passage through the country, and a friendly reception in the capital. The proffered friendship of the Spaniards was cordially embraced, with many awkward excuses for the past. The envoys were to touch at the Tlascalan camp on their way, and inform Xicotencatl of their proceedings. They were to require him, at the same time, to abstain from all further hostilities, and to furnish the white men with an ample supply of provisions.

   And in August, high in air, the beautiful and bountiful horse-chestnuts, candelabra-wise, proffer the passer-by their tapering upright cones of congregated blossoms.

   Your daughter Célestine has too strong a sense of her duty to proffer a word of reproach.

   He proffered a pact to Satan, calling upon the Fiend and working himself into a frenzy - but his infernal majesty failed to respond.

   The queen rises up and takes Edward from me, and proffers the sleeping child to the king. He shrinks away. 'No, no. I don't want to hold it. Just tell me. Is this a girl or a boy?'

2. To attempt or essay of one's own accord; to undertake or propose to undertake.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   [N]one among the choice and prime / Of thoſe Heav'n-warring Champions could be found / So hardie as to proffer or accept / Alone the dreadful voyage; [...]

Noun

1. a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection

   Synonyms

   suggestionproposition

   Broader terms

   proposal

   Examples

   it was a suggestion we couldn't refuse

Verb

1. present for acceptance or rejection

   Synonyms

   offer

   Broader terms

   give

   Examples

   She offered us all a cold drink