defray

American  

[dih-frey] / dɪˈfreɪ /

verb (used with object)

1. to bear or pay all or part of (the costs, expenses, etc.).

   The grant helped defray the expenses of the trip.

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defray British  

/ dɪˈfreɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to furnish or provide money for (costs, expenses, etc); pay

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Other Word Forms

• defrayable adjective
• defrayal noun
• defrayer noun
• predefray verb (used with object)
• undefrayed adjective

Etymology

Origin of defray

1535–45; < Middle French défrayer, Old French deffroier to pay costs, equivalent to de- dis- ¹ + frayer to bear the costs, derivative of frais, fres (plural) costs, probably < Latin frācta things broken ( fracture ), hence, expense incurred from breakage