intendance

[ in-ten-duhns ]

noun

1. an administrative department, especially one in the government system introduced by the French statesman Richelieu during the 17th century, or the officials in charge of it.
2. the official quarters of an intendant.
3. the function of an intendant; superintendence; intendancy.

intendance

/ ɪnˈtɛndəns /

noun

1. any of various public departments, esp in France
2. a less common word for superintendence See superintendence

Word History and Origins

Origin of intendance¹

From French, dating back to 1730–40; intendant, -ance

Example Sentences

Whereas if they were only branches of an intendance générale, the heads of the departments might meet each other and their chief of an evening, each state their wants and their wishes, concert together as to the work to be performed next day, and then act with a perfect knowledge of what was to be got through.

From Project Gutenberg

The troops were served out with three days' provisions, and the intendance was furnished with a supply of "iron rations" from the magazines of the fortress.

From Project Gutenberg

The Intendance received 1,813,000 francs, all the municipalities together 1,446,000, the Interior 103,000, Marine 29,000, Justice 5500, Commerce 50,000, Education one thousand only, Exterior 112,000, Firemen 100,000, National Library 80,000, Commission of Barricades 44,500, L'Imprimerie Nationale 100,000, the Association of Tailors and Shoemakers 24,882.

From Project Gutenberg

"Intendance Royale de la Province de Faucigny, "Bonneville, 11 Septembre, 1858.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a beautiful, soft night, without a moon, and I went down by the rue St. Jean and the Palace Hill without interruption, and, passing beyond the walls, went straight to the Intendance, which was all aglow with light, and surrounded by a gaping crowd.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• charge
• handling
• management
• manipulation
• oversight
• plan
• policy
• strategy
• transaction
• treatment