affiance
[ uh-fahy-uh ns ]
/ əˈfaɪ əns /
verb (used with object), af·fi·anced, af·fi·anc·ing.
to pledge by promise of marriage; betroth.
noun Archaic.
a pledging of faith, as a marriage contract.
trust; confidence; reliance.
RELATED WORDS
pact, word, pledge, commitment, agreement, vow, obligation, assurance, guarantee, oath, assertion, affirm, agree, assure, ensure, commit, declare, catch, undertake, warranty
Nearby words
- afferent nerve,
- afferent vessel,
- afferent-loop syndrome,
- afferently,
- affettuoso,
- affianced,
- affiant,
- affiche,
- afficionado,
- affidavit
Origin of affiance
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for affiance
affiance
/ (əˈfaɪəns) /
verb
(tr) to bind (a person or oneself) in a promise of marriage; betroth
noun
archaic a solemn pledge, esp a marriage contract
Word Origin for affiance
C14: via Old French from Medieval Latin affīdāre to trust (oneself) to, from fīdāre to trust, from fīdus faithful
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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affiance
1520s, "to promise," from Old French afiancier "to pledge, promise, give one's word," from afiance (n.) "confidence, trust," from afier "to trust," from Late Latin affidare, from ad- "to" (see ad-) + fidare "to trust," from fidus (see affidavit). From mid-16c. especially "to promise in marriage." Related: Affianced; affiancing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper