vouchsafe

[ vouch-seyf ]

/ vaʊtʃˈseɪf /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vouchsafe ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), vouch·safed, vouch·saf·ing.

to grant or give, as by favor, graciousness, or condescension: to vouchsafe a reply to a question.

to allow or permit, as by favor or graciousness: They vouchsafed his return to his own country.

verb (used without object), vouch·safed, vouch·saf·ing.

to condescend; deign.

Nearby words

vou., vouch, vouchee, voucher, voucher system, vouchsafe, vouge, voussoir, vouvray, vow, vowel

Origin of vouchsafe

1275–1325; Middle English phrase vouche sauf. See vouch, safe

SYNONYMS FOR vouchsafe

1 bestow, confer, accord.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR vouchsafe ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

vouch·safe·ment, nounun·vouch·safed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for vouchsafe

Vouchsafe, Mary, on this day to receive our incense, our love: Of thy heavenly husband calm the rage.
Popery|Edward Hoare
Vouchsafe out of Thy great goodness to hear and answer them, chiefly for that one among us who will first end this mortal life.
Mary, Help of Christians|Various
Vouchsafe: a word seldom used, but when used, the first syllable should rhyme with pouch; never say vousafe.
Five Hundred Mistakes of Daily Occurrence in Speaking, Pronouncing, and Writing the English Language, Corrected|Anonymous
By the notice—the interest you vouchsafe him, Miss Martin,—the most flattering compliment to one in his station.
The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. I (of II)|Charles James Lever

Though you should vouchsafe to wreak your utmost wrath upon my innocent head, I can do nothing else.
A Christian But a Roman|Mr Jkai

British Dictionary definitions for vouchsafe

vouchsafe

/ (ˌvaʊtʃˈseɪf) /

verb (tr)

to give or grant or condescend to give or grantshe vouchsafed no reply; he vouchsafed me no encouragement

(may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to agree, promise, or permit, often graciously or condescendinglyhe vouchsafed to come yesterday

obsolete

to warrant as being safe
to bestow as a favour (upon)

Derived Forms

vouchsafement, noun

Word Origin for vouchsafe

C14: vouchen sauf; see vouch, safe

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012