purveyance

[ per-vey-uhns ]

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.

purveyance

/ 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

Other Words From

• nonpur·veyance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of purveyance¹

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

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

If thou stayest with us longer, which God send, we will talk about purveyance.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the only country of Europe in which the obligation of purveyance is abolished, 161.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a purveyance of ribs of beef and mutton and ale, “stock-fish, if Lent,” and other recommendations for “the comers to the Dirige at night.”

From Project Gutenberg