afford

 
Pronunciation: /əˈfɔːd/

verb

[with object]
  • 1 (can/could afford) have enough money to pay for: the best that I could afford was a first-floor room [with infinitive]: we could never have afforded to heat the place
  • have (a resource such as money or time) available or to spare: it was taking up more time than he could afford
  • [with infinitive] be able to do something without risk of adverse consequences: only aristocrats could afford to stoop to such practices
  • 2provide or supply (an opportunity or facility): the rooftop terrace affords beautiful views [with two objects]: they were afforded the luxury of bed and breakfast

Origin:

late Old English geforthian, from ge- (prefix implying completeness) + forthian 'to further', from forth. The original sense was 'promote, perform, accomplish', later 'manage, be in a position to do'