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

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

Sith yet there is a credence in my heart, An esperance so obstinately strong, That doth invert th' attest of eyes and ears; As if those organs had deceptious functions Created only to calumniate.

From Troilus and Cressida 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)

And thus, after that sche be craft had obteaned hir purpoise, we departed in good esperance of hir favouris, praysing God in our hartes that sche was so weall enclyned towardes godlynes.

From The Works of John Knox, Vol. 1 (of 6) by Laing, David

Bon coeur, bonne esperance, mes enfants, the hour of victory is at hand!

From A Heroine of France by Everett-Green, Evelyn