tr.v. vouch·safed, vouch·saf·ing, vouch·safes Archaic 1. To condescend to grant or bestow (something): "On my knees I beg / That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food" (Shakespeare). 2. To condescend (to do something); deign: "He called for some tea; upon which occasion my landlady herself vouchsafed to pay him a visit" (Henry Fielding). 3. To disclose or reveal: "At dinner-table, Mr Clayhanger had only vouchsafed that he had a train to catch" (Arnold Bennet). [Middle English vouchen sauf, to warrant as safe : vouchen, to warrant; see VOUCH + sauf, safe; see SAFE.] vouch·safement n. |
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