[with obj.]provide money to pay (a cost or expense) 支付(成本,费用),支出 the proceeds from the raffle help to defray the expenses of the evening. 对奖售物的收入可用于支付晚上的费用。
late Middle English (in the general sense 'spend money'): from French défrayer, from dé- (expressing removal) + obsolete frai 'cost, expenses' (from medieval Latin fredum 'a fine for breach of the peace')