Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OF'FER, n. [Fr. offre.]

1. A proposal to be accepted or rejected; presentation to choice. The prince made liberal offers, but they were rejected. When offers are disdained, and love deny'd. Pope.
2. First advance. Force compels this offer. Shak.
3. The act of bidding a price, or the sum bid. By an offer we manifest a desire to buy. When the seller declines accepting, he manifests that he thinks the offer not sufficient.
4. Attempt; endeavor; essay. It is in the power of every one to make some essay, some offer and attempt. [Nearly obsolete.] South.