durance

[ door-uhns, dyoor- ]

noun

1. incarceration or imprisonment (often used in the phrase durance vile ).
2. Archaic. endurance.

Durance

¹

/ dyrɑ̃s /

noun

1. a river in S France, rising in the Alps and flowing generally southwest into the Rhône. Length: 304 km (189 miles)

durance

²

/ ˈdjʊərəns /

noun

1. imprisonment
2. duration

Word History and Origins

Origin of durance¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French. See dure ², -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of durance¹

C15: from Old French, from durer to last, from Latin dūrāre

Example Sentences

And I said: My dear, I have been in durance vile.

From New York Times

It was the probation, the durance; they all three accepted it; I dont believe there was ever any promise between Henry and Bon demanded or offered.

From Literature

They were under lock and key and had been unceremoniously bundled into durance vile without the formality of an introduction.

From Project Gutenberg

Moreover, if any persons were then in durance contrary to the provisions of the Ordonnance, they were to be set at liberty.

From Project Gutenberg

I sat down in a large arm-chair which stood at one end of the library table, and thought over all the possible means of extricating myself from an unexpected durance.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bondage
• confinement
• custody
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• slavery