suf·fer / ˈsəfər/ • v. [tr.] 1. experience or be subjected to (something bad or unpleasant): he'd suffered intense pain| [intr.] he'd suffered a great deal since his arrest | [as n.] (suffering) weapons that cause unnecessary suffering. ∎  [intr.] (suffer from) be affected by or subject to (an illness or ailment): his daughter suffered from agoraphobia. ∎  [intr.] become or appear worse in quality: his relationship with Anne did suffer. ∎  [intr.] archaic undergo martyrdom or execution.2. dated tolerate: France will no longer suffer the existing government. ∎  allow (someone) to do something: my conscience would not suffer me to accept any more.PHRASES: not suffer fools gladly be impatient or intolerant toward people one regards as foolish or unintelligent.DERIVATIVES: suf·fer·a·ble / ˈsəf(ə)rəbəl/ adj.suf·fer·er / ˈsəf(ə)rər/ n. (in sense 1).

suffer undergo, endure; tolerate, allow. XIII. ME. suffre, so(e)ffre — AN. suffrir, soeffrir, -er, OF. sof(f)rir (mod. souffrir) :- Rom. *sufferīre, for L. sufferre, f. suf- SUB- + ferre BEAR2.
So sufferance (arch.) suffering, long-suffering; sanction, permission, toleration (now only in phr. on s, and in legal use). XIII. — AN., OF. suffraunce, soffrance (mod. souffrance suffering) :- L. sufferentia.

SUFFER

To admit, allow, or permit.

The term suffer is used to convey the idea of acquiescence, passivity, indifference, or abstention from preventive action, as opposed to the taking of an affirmative step.