esperance
Americannoun
noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 William Shakespeare
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 J. E. (Jan Ernst) Heeres
Then with repine-ful fury fever-high Wishing yet wishing not for Love's surceàse; Shifting to other side for vengeänce, Desires deprived of their esperance, What now could ever change such ills as these?
From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. VIII by Various
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 David Laing
Bon coeur, bonne esperance, mes enfants, the hour of victory is at hand!
From A Heroine of France by Evelyn Everett-Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
