habitancy

American  

[hab-i-tn-see] / ˈhæb ɪ tn si /

noun

plural

habitancies

1. the act or fact of inhabiting; inhabitancy.

2. the total number of inhabitants; population.

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Etymology

Origin of habitancy

First recorded in 1785–95; habit(ant) ¹ + -ancy

Example Sentences

Numerous small caves or sink holes exist in the neighborhood, three of which were reported as being dry, lighted, having good entrances, and well suited for habitancy.

From Archeological Investigations Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 76 by Fowke, Gerard

He provided for the cure of the wounded, the habitancy of the houseless, the provision of the destitute.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 56, No. 345, July, 1844 by Various

Its stained brick walls, partly covered with ivy and lichens; its smokeless chimneys; its barred doors; its many shuttered windows, like blind eyes—all appeared deliberately to thrust aside human habitancy.

From A Woman Named Smith by Oemler, Marie Conway

It was full of light, and had the look of habitancy about it; but I saw no folk.

From Lore of Proserpine by Hewlett, Maurice Henry

Before he approached it a hind and her calf had been cropping the grass between the cracks of the altar-steps; all else was very still, yet had a feeling of habitancy and familiar use.

From The Forest Lovers by Hewlett, Maurice Henry