-ance

American  

1. a suffix used to form nouns either from adjectives ending in -ant or from verbs.

   brilliance; appearance.

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-ance British  

suffix

1. indicating an action, state or condition, or quality Compare -ence

   hindrance

   tenancy

   resemblance

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Etymology

Origin of -ance

Middle English < Old French < Latin -antia -ancy, equivalent to -ant- -ant + -ia -y ³

Example Sentences

The nominalization rule takes a perfectly spry verb and embalms it into a lifeless noun by adding a suffix like -ance, -ment, -ation, or -ing.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

This is the form corresponding to the French -ance.

From Frédéric Mistral Poet and Leader in Provence by Downer, Charles Alfred

Another large group of hovering accents is that formed by French words with such terminations as -our, -ance, -ace, -age, -ant, -ess.

From English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History by Alden, Raymond MacDonald