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.
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.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.