Middle English Dictionary Entry
fīaunce n.
Entry Info
| Forms | fīaunce n. Also fience. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. affiaunce.
1.
(a) Trust or faith (in someone or something); (b) confidence based on trust, assurance.
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)164 : Þe uerste poynte of prowesse hi clepieþ magnanimite; Þe oþer fiaunce; Þe þridde zikernesse.
- c1390 Mirror St.Edm.(2) (Vrn)606 : Penaunce, Þerof þe synful mai ha fyaunce.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5481 : Fortune verely, In whom no man shulde affy, Nor in hir yeftis have fiaunce.
- c1440 Fadur and sone (Thrn)89 : In thi mercy es my fyaunce.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1641 : Slik fyaunce [Dub: fiance]..In þe grace of grete god.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)5611 : Generides, In whom suerly is all hir fyence.
b
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)7/206 : Heo onswerde wiþ good fyaunce Þat God hir hedde isent þat chaunce.
2.
maken fiaunce, (a) to make a pledge or a promise, give solemn assurance; (b) mil. to put oneself on parole.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)11/8 : He made fyaunce to the kyng for to nourisshe the child.
- c1475 Regina celi qwene (Hrl 2251)27 : The Rede appul of my gardyne, For mannes soule hath made fyaunce.
b
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)14.567 : Whanne Tholome to Eualach hadde mad fiaunce.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.4279 : For to that cite, thoruh his hih noblesse, In ther diffencis such trust, such fiaunce He gaff to hem bi his expert prowesse, Off his triumphes so gret habundaunce.
Note: yeven ~ to give assurance (to sb)