spence
1 Americannoun
noun
noun
noun
Etymology
Origin of spence
1350–1400; Middle English spense, spence < Middle French despense pantry < Medieval Latin dīspēnsa, noun use of feminine of dīspēnsus, past participle of dīspendere to weigh out; see dispense
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.
The thresher's weary flingin-tree, The lee-lang day had tired me; And when the day had clos'd his e'e, Far i' the west, Ben i' the spence, right pensivelie, I gaed to rest.
From Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Burns, Robert
Our bardie, lanely, keeps the spence parlor Sin' Mailie's dead.
From Robert Burns How To Know Him by Neilson, William Allan
Edward," said the Sub-Prior, "you will supply the English Knight here in this spence with suitable food and accommodation for the night, treating him with as much kindness as if nothing had happened between you.
From The Monastery by Scott, Walter, Sir
The thresher’s weary flingin’-tree The lee-lang day had tired me; And when the day had closed his e’e Far i’ the west, Ben i’ the spence, right pensivelie, I gaed to rest.
From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Burns, Robert
Will straik on her mittens sae dainty, And crack wi' Mess John i' the spence.
From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 3 by Mabie, Hamilton Wright
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.