offer
UK[ˈɒfə(r)]US[ˈɔːfər]
v
To present or proffer something for someone to accept or reject as desired.
v
To express willingness or readiness to do something.
n
An expression of readiness to do or give something if desired.
n
An amount of money proposed as payment; a bid.
Etymology
The word 'offer' originates from the Latin verb 'offerre', meaning "to present, to bring before". This Latin term is itself a compound of 'ob-' (meaning 'toward') and 'ferre' (meaning 'to bear, to carry'). It entered Old English as 'offrian' with a specifically religious sense of "to sacrifice, to present to a deity", influenced by its use in ecclesiastical Latin. Through Anglo-French 'offrir', the term broadened in Middle English to its current, more general secular meanings of presenting something for acceptance or expressing willingness. The core logic of "carrying toward" someone, implying a presentation for their consideration, remains central to its modern definitions.
Analysis
The modern English word 'offer' is a simplex form derived from a single Latin root via Old English and Anglo-French. It is not productively segmentable into meaningful sub-parts within its current English spelling.
Examples
The company decided to offer him a promotion.
May I offer you some advice?
They made a generous offer on the house.