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Synonyms

affiance

American  
[uh-fahy-uhns] / əˈfaɪ əns /

verb (used with object)

affianced, affiancing
  1. to pledge by promise of marriage; betroth.


noun

Archaic.
  1. a pledging of faith, as a marriage contract.

  2. trust; confidence; reliance.

affiance British  
/ əˈfaɪəns /

verb

  1. (tr) to bind (a person or oneself) in a promise of marriage; betroth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. archaic a solemn pledge, esp a marriage contract

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of affiance

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French afiance, equivalent to afi ( er ) to pledge faith, declare on oath, betroth (< Medieval Latin affīdāre, equivalent to ad- ad- + *fīdāre, for Latin fīdere to trust; confide ) + -ance -ance

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

No. In the words of the old church service, “her soul must ever have affiance in God.”

From Household Papers and Stories by Stowe, Harriet Beecher

"In God's name," cried he, "I plight such affiance as seems most meet to thee."

From Aucassin & Nicolette And Other Mediaeval Romances and Legends by Mason, Eugene

You set affiance on him, I know, and I the like: and if he be not misturned, methinks he may yet prove a good servant.

From The White Rose of Langley A Story of the Olden Time by Holt, Emily Sarah

It denotes the soul’s affiance to its Lord.

From The Expositor's Bible: Ephesians by Findlay, G. G.

The act of betrothing, or the fact of being betrothed; a mutual promise, engagement, or contract for a future marriage between the persons betrothed; betrothment; affiance.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah