suffer

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   undergo injuries and illnesses

   They suffered only minor injuries in the accident.

2. 2
   verb

   feel unwell or uncomfortable

   All the workers suffered in the heat of the drought.

3. 3
   verb

   to get worse

   The students' grades suffered as vacation approached.

4. 4
   verb

   be set at a disadvantage

   This author really suffers in translation

5. 5
   verb

   experience emotional or physical pain

   Every time my husband gets drunk, I suffer.

6. 6
   verb

   undergo or be subjected to

   They suffered the penalty.

7. 7
   verb

   be given to

   They suffer from a tendency to talk too much.

8. 8
   verb

   To undergo hardship.

   Many artists suffer before becoming famous.

Etymology

From Middle English suffren, from Anglo-Norman suffrir, from Latin sufferre (“to offer, hold up, bear, suffer”), from sub- (“up, under”) + ferō (“to carry”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- (“to bear, carry”). Displaced native Old English þrōwian.