30 May 2013

vouchsafe

[vouch-seyf]

verb, vouch·safed, vouch·saf·ing.
verb (used with object)
1. to grant or give, as by favor, graciousness, or condescension: to vouchsafe a reply to a question.
2. to allow or permit, as by favor or graciousness: They vouchsafed his return to his own country.
verb (used without object)
3. to condescend; deign.
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English phrase vouche sauf. See vouch, safe

Related forms
vouch·safe·ment, noun
un·vouch·safed, adjective

Synonyms
1. bestow, confer, accord.

Today’s aphorism

Don’t annoy the writer. They may put you in a book and kill you.

– Anonymous

On this day

30 May 1911 – death of Milton Bradley, U.S. board-game maker, credited with launching the board-game industry. Born 8 November 1836.