FromMiddle English-aunce,-ance, fromAnglo-Norman-aunce and continentalOld French-ance, fromLatin-antia,-entia.
-ance
- Added to an adjective or verb to form a noun indicating a state or condition, such as result or capacity, associated with the verb.
- ally + -ance → alliance
- perform + -ance → performance
- reluct + -ance → reluctance
- Added to a verb to form a noun indicating a process or action.
- appear + -ance → appearance
- resist + -ance → resistance
- Many words ending in "-ance" were formed in French or by alteration of a noun or adjective ending in "-ant".
FromOld French-ance, fromLatin-antia and-entia. CompareSpanish-anza,-enza,Italian-anza,-enza,Portuguese-ança,-ença,Romanian-ință.
Cognate toFrench-ence.
-ance f (noun-forming suffix,plural-ances)
- -ance;forms abstract nouns
-ance
- alternative form of-aunce
-ance
- -ance (suffixed used to form nouns)
Inherited fromLatin-antia(m),-entia(m).
-ance
- -ance (suffixed used to form nouns)
FromMiddle English-aunce, fromAnglo-Norman-aunce and continentalOld French-ance, fromLatin-antia,-entia.
-ance
- Forms nouns indicating states or processes, usually from verbs or other nouns;
-ance n (Cyrillic spelling-анце,noun-forming suffix)
- suffix appended to words to create a neuter noun, usually to form a diminutive or as an expression of endearment, or to denote an object
