Obs. Also 5 -aite. [a. OF. s(o)uffrete, -aite = Pr. sofracha, It. † soffratta:—L. suffracta-m, pa. pple. fem. (used as sb.) of suffringĕre to break up, f. suf- = SUB- 25 + frangĕre to break.] Want, need.
c. 1450. Merlin, iii. 59. Many provertees [sic] and grete suffraites suffred oure lorde her in erthe for oure sake.
1481. Caxton, Godfrey, xciii. 144. Vytayll began to faylle, And was grete suffrete and scarsenes in thoost.
