purveyance

American  

[per-vey-uhns] / pərˈveɪ əns /

noun

1. the act of purveying.

2. something that is purveyed, as provisions.

3. English Law. a prerogative of the crown, abolished in 1660, allowing provisions, supplies, or services for the sovereign or the royal household to be purchased or acquired at an appraised value.

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purveyance British  

/ pəˈveɪəns /

noun

1. history the collection or requisition of provisions for a sovereign

2. rare the act of purveying

3. rare that which is purveyed

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Other Word Forms

• nonpurveyance
  noun

Etymology

Origin of purveyance

1225–75; purvey + -ance; replacing Middle English purvea ( u ) nce, purvya ( u ) nce < Old French purveance < Latin prōvidentia. See providence

Example Sentences

"But it is contrary to our fundamental norms to permit government-sanctioned attacks on the purveyance of ideas, even when those ideas are repugnant."

From Reuters • Mar. 21, 2014

Having saved their historic building from the knacker's yard in 1993, the Horse Hospital is now gearing up to celebrate 20 years of alternative pop-cultural purveyance.

From The Guardian • Feb. 2, 2013

An enormous grievance was long the office of purveyance.

From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 3 by Disraeli, Isaac

The feudal tenures and dues, with the prerogative rights of purveyance and pre-emption, which had been abolished by order of the parliament, could not be restored.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 4 "England" to "English Finance" by Various

He can make purveyance, With boast and bragance,90 And all through maintenance,   Of men that are greater.

From "Everyman," with other interludes, including eight miracle plays by Rhys, Ernest