1. To hold something out to someone so that he, or she, can take it or grasp it: Kenny liked to tease his dog by proffering it a bone but not quite letting the pooch get ahold of it.
2. To suggest something for consideration to someone: William decided to proffer an idea to the board for saving money and investing it in new equipment for the factory.
3. To present a proposal that is submitted for acceptance or rejection: The management at the factory proffered a wage settlement to the union which the workers rejected and so they went on strike.
4. Offering evidence in a judicial trial: The lawyer proffered photos as proof or documentation that took place during the criminal act.
5. Etymology: from Anglo-French profrier (about 1240), Old French poroffrir (about 1080); from por-, "forth" (from Latin pro-) + offrir, "to offer"; from Latin offerre, "to present, to bestow, to bring before" (in Late Latin, "to present in worship"); from ob, "to" + ferre, "to bring, to carry". © ALL rights are reserved.

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