esperance

American  

[es-per-uhns] / ˈɛs pər əns /

noun

Obsolete.

1. hope.

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esperance British  

/ ˈɛspərəns /

noun

1. archaic hope or expectation

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Etymology

Origin of esperance

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English esperaunce, from Middle French esperance, from Vulgar Latin spērantia (unattested), equivalent to Latin spērant- (stem of spērāns ) “hoping” (present participle of spērāre, derivative of spēs “hope”) + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

Certes, frere, tu demandes ce que tu deusses reffuser, tu te fies en ce dont tu te deusses deffier et fiches ton esperance en ce que te tire a peril.

From A Short History of French Literature by Saintsbury, George

Hir slevis suld be of esperance, To keip hir fra dispair; Hir gluvis of the gud govirnance, To hyd hir fingearis fair.

From The Art of Needle-work, from the Earliest Ages, 3rd ed. Including Some Notices of the Ancient Historical Tapestries by Menzies, Sutherland, fl. 1840-1883

To be worst, The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune, Stands still in esperance, lives not in fear: The lamentable change is from the best; The worst returns to laughter.

From King Lear by Shakespeare, William

Most Noble Highborn Prince, Most Highborn Prince, my last letter to Your Princely Excellency was dated May the 20th last from the Taefelbay near Cabo de bonne esperance with the ship Anna from England...

From The Part Borne by the Dutch in the Discovery of Australia 1606-1765 by Heeres, J. E. (Jan Ernst)

We are both perfectly well, too, and brave with happiness, and "a credence in our hearts, and esperance so absolutely strong, as doth outvie the attest of eyes and ears."

From Memories of Hawthorne by Lathrop, Rose Hawthorne