defray
pronunciation
How to pronounce defray in British English:
UK [dɪˈfreɪ]
How to pronounce defray in American English:
US [dɪˈfre]
-
- Verb:
- bear the expenses of
Word Origin
- defray (v.)
- 1540s, from Middle French defraier (15c.), perhaps from de- "out" (see de-) + fraier "spend," from Old French frais "costs, damages caused by breakage," from Latin fractum, neuter past participle of frangere "to break" (see fraction). Alternative etymology traces second element to Old High German fridu "peace," via Vulgar Latin *fredum "fine, cost."
Example
- 1. His bunkhouse vacations help defray the expense of two summer ranch hands .
- 2. Amy gave her the two thousand dollars for it and amelia made some gestures to defray her expenses .
- 3. One said she planned to use the c $ 335 she got for some jewellery to defray the costs of moving house .
- 4. Without the cash flow from bookings , and full berths , cruise ship operators will struggle to defray their soaring fixed costs and maintain capital expenditure .
- 5. The market for driving instruction is crowded with part-timers looking to make a little extra income from their car , perhaps to defray the increasing cost of gas .