affianced

[uh-fahy-uh nst]

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adjective

betrothed; engaged.

Origin of affianced

First recorded in 1570–80; affiance + -ed²

affiance

[uh-fahy-uh ns]

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.

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; see confide) + -ance -ance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for affianced

intended, promised, betrothed, plighted

Examples from the Web for affianced

Historical Examples of affianced

It is his right to know the truth, and—what can Ned say while I'm affianced?
The Bacillus of Beauty
Harriet Stark
It is strange,—the repugnance with which she regarded the suit of her affianced!
Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Will it please you to remember that M. d'Ombreval is my affianced husband?
The Trampling of the Lilies
Rafael Sabatini
She is the only daughter of my comrade and she is my affianced bride.
Giants on the Earth
Sterner St. Paul Meek
Long time ago they were affianced, but she has been down in the wilderness.
The Wedding Ring
T. De Witt Talmage

British Dictionary definitions for affianced

affiance

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for affianced

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.