afford

Etymology

From Middle English afforthen, aforthen, avorthien, from earlier iforthen, iforthien, ȝeforthien, from Old English forþian, ġeforþian (“to further, accomplish, afford”), from Proto-Germanic *furþōną, from Proto-Germanic *furþą (“forth, forward”), equivalent to a- + forth. Cognate with Old Norse forða (“to forward oneself, save oneself, escape danger”), Icelandic forða (“to save, rescue”).

verb

1. To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; (usually after an expression of ability, as could, able, difficult) to be able or rich enough.
   I think we can afford the extra hour it will take.  We can only afford to buy a small car at the moment.
   If a party member can afford the fee, then the syncophants will go to work. 1981, Wizardry: A Game of Fantasy and Adventure [user manual], Ryan Press, page 19
   Ms Camisa and her husband have had to rejig their finances to afford tuition. 20 November 2021, “Answered prayers; Catholic schools are seeing increases in enrolment for the first time in years”, in The Economist, London, page 39
2. (obsolete) To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting or expending, with profit, or without too great a loss.
   Alfred affords his goods cheaper than Bantock.
3. (rare) To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue.
   The percentage of nutritive elements contained in the parsnip is very small; so small, indeed, that one pound of parsnips affords hardly one fifth of an ounce of nitrogenous or muscle-forming material. 1892, Ella Eaton Kellogg, “Vegetables”, in Science in the Kitchen: A Scientific Treatise on Food Substances and Their Dietetic Properties, Together with a Practical Explanation of the Principles of Healthful Cookery, and a Large Number of Original, Palatable, and Wholesome Recipes, Revised edition, Michigan: Health Publishing Company, page 243
   Grapes afford wine.  Olives afford oil.  The earth affords fruit.  The sea affords an abundant supply of fish.
4. To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish.
   A good life affords consolation in old age.
   This was done, and in many cases still is done by the main-line railway groups, through the exercise of running powers, which on application to Parliament by the company using them have been granted for the express purpose of affording this access without the necessity for building independent tracks. In other cases, such running powers have been granted without recourse to Parliament, by voluntary agreement between the parties. 1940 May, “The Why and the Wherefore: Running Powers”, in Railway Magazine, page 318
   The 2,800 h.p. Brush "Falcon" diesel-electric prototype Co-Co with two Bristol-Siddeley-Maybach high-speed engines will be afforded facilities for service trials on the G.N. main line when it makes its debut - in the autumn of this year, if construction proceeds according to schedule. 1960 June, “Motive Power Miscellany: Eastern Region”, in Trains Illustrated, page 376
   Writing a “Treehouse of Horror” segment has to be both exhilarating and daunting. It’s exhilarating because it affords writers all the freedom in the world. April 29, 2012, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992)”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)
   We continue through suburban Newcastle along the edge of the Tyne, before squealing around the tight curves onto the magnificent High Level bridge, which affords glorious views across Newcastle and along the river before arriving at journey's end. November 30 2022, Paul Bigland, “Destination Oban: a Sunday in Scotland”, in RAIL, number 971, page 75