Middle English Dictionary Entry
cheva(u)nce n.
Entry Info
| Forms | cheva(u)nce n. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. chevisaunce.
1.
(a) An acquisition; an achievement, success; (b) procuring (of a loan); (c) maken ~, advance a loan, loan money at (high) interest.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.4424 : Men se poverte With porsuite and continuance Fulofte make a gret chevance.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.6106 : Riht as a thief makth his chevance And robbeth mennes good aboute In wode and field.
- c1475 *Comp.Hope (Bod 638)99 : For I of Ioy haue noo cheuaunce.
b
- (1433) Proc.Privy C.4.159 : Þe Tresorer prayed hem þat þei wolde see..unto þe chevance of þat þat lakketh for þe paiement of þe said seconde quarter.
c
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)40/33 : Þe ferþe manere of synne þat is in marchaundise, þat is to sille for a certeyn terme, as men doþ þat makeþ cheuaunses..as we haue schewed to-fore among vsureres.
- a1525(?1424) Cov.Leet Bk.75 : Þat ye wold vpon sufficyant & couenable suertie make cheuaunce of a certen summe of gold vnto our souerayne lord.