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Synonyms

affiance

American  
[uh-fahy-uhns] / əˈfaɪ əns /

verb (used with object)

affianced, affiancing
  1. to pledge by promise of marriage; betroth.


noun

Archaic.
  1. a pledging of faith, as a marriage contract.

  2. trust; confidence; reliance.

affiance British  
/ əˈfaɪəns /

verb

  1. (tr) to bind (a person or oneself) in a promise of marriage; betroth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. archaic a solemn pledge, esp a marriage contract

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of affiance

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French afiance, equivalent to afi ( er ) to pledge faith, declare on oath, betroth (< Medieval Latin affīdāre, equivalent to ad- ad- + *fīdāre, for Latin fīdere to trust; confide ) + -ance -ance

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.

And this affiance was in its being moral.

From Abraham Lincoln's Cardinal Traits; A Study in Ethics, with an Epilogue Addressed to Theologians by Beardslee, Clark S.

And be it well and truly seen that the elements of this affiance with his God, and the elements of his firm league with brothermen were identically the same.

From Abraham Lincoln's Cardinal Traits; A Study in Ethics, with an Epilogue Addressed to Theologians by Beardslee, Clark S.

That attachment and affiance, which ought to subsist between the dependant and his protector, are destroyed.

From Letters on the Improvement of the Mind, Addressed to a Lady by Chapone, Hester

The act of betrothing, or the fact of being betrothed; a mutual promise, engagement, or contract for a future marriage between the persons betrothed; betrothment; affiance.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

It is not well done for a king to affiance himself to one woman when he already has another for his wife.

From Historical Tales, Vol. 9 (of 15) The Romance of Reality. Scandinavian. by Morris, Charles