Bacon.
Of"fer (?), n. [Cf. F. offre, fr. offrir to offer, fr. L. offerre. See
Offer, v. t.] 1. The act of offering, bringing forward, proposing, or
bidding; a proffer; a first advance. "This offer comes from mercy."
Shak.
2. That which is offered or brought forward; a proposal to be accepted
or rejected; a sum offered; a bid.
When offers are disdained, and love denied.
Pope.
3. Attempt; endeavor; essay; as, he made an offer to catch the ball.
"Some offer and attempt." South.
Of"fer*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being offered; suitable or worthy to be
offered.
Of"fer*er (?), n. One who offers; esp., one who offers something to God
in worship. Hooker.
Of"fer*ing, n. 1. The act of an offerer; a proffering.
2. That which is offered, esp. in divine service; that which is
presented as an expiation or atonement for sin, or as a free gift; a
sacrifice; an oblation; as, sin offering.
They are polluted offerings more abhorred Than spotted livers in
the sacrifice.
Shak.
3. A sum of money offered, as in church service; as, a missionary
offering. Specif.: (Ch. of Eng.) Personal tithes payable according to
custom, either at certain seasons as Christmas or Easter, or on certain
occasions as marriages or christenings.
[None] to the offering before her should go.
Chaucer.
Burnt offering, Drink offering, etc. See under Burnt. etc.
Of"fer*to*ry (?), n.; pl. Offertories . [L. offertorium the place to
which offerings were brought, in LL. offertory: cf.F. offertoire.] 1.
The act of offering, or the thing offered. [Obs. or R.] Bacon. Bp.
Fell.
2. (R.C.Ch.) (a) An anthem chanted, or a voluntary played on the organ,
during the offering and first part of the Mass. (b) That part of the
Mass which the priest reads before uncovering the chalice to offer up
the elements for consecration. (c) The oblation of the elements.
3. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) (a) The Scripture sentences said or
sung during the collection of the offerings. (b) The offerings
themselves.
Of"fer*ture (?), n. [LL. offertura an offering.] Offer; proposal;
overture. [Obs.]
More offertures and advantages to his crown.
Milton.
Off"hand` (?), a. Instant; ready; extemporaneous; as, an offhand
speech; offhand excuses. -- adv. In an offhand manner; as, he replied
offhand.
Of"fice (?), n. [F., fr. L. officium, for opificium; ops ability,
wealth, holp + facere to do or make. See Opulent, Fact.] 1. That which
a person does, either voluntarily or by appointment, for, or with
reference to, others; customary duty, or a duty that arises from the
relations of man to man; as, kind offices, pious offices.