affiance

[ uh-fahy-uhns ]
See synonyms for affiance on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),af·fi·anced, af·fi·anc·ing.
  1. to pledge by promise of marriage; betroth.

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

  2. trust; confidence; reliance.

Origin of affiance

1
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; see confide) + -ance-ance

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How to use affiance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for affiance

affiance

/ (əˈfaɪəns) /


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

noun
  1. archaic a solemn pledge, esp a marriage contract

Origin of affiance

1
C14: via Old French from Medieval Latin affīdāre to trust (oneself) to, from fīdāre to trust, from fīdus faithful

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