affiance

t. [From the substantive (q. v.). Fr. fiancer to betroth; Sp. afianzar = to bail, to fix with ropes; Ital. fidanzare = to caution, to guarantee, to betroth: from Lat. fides faith, trust.] [AFFY, AFFIDAVIT.] 1. To betroth one in marriage; solemniy and ceremoniously to promise one in marriage. "Halifax's only son had been aflanced to the Lady Mary Finch, Nottingham's daughter."-Macaulay: Hist . Eng ., ch. xxi. 2. To inspire with confidence. "Doubt you the gods? Lo! Pallas' self descends, Inspires thy counsels, and thy toils attends. In ine afflane'd , fortify thy breast." Pope : Homer's Ody ey, bk. xx., 57-59. "Pay due devotions to the martial maid, And rest, affianc'd in her guardian aid." Ibid., iv. 991-2 "Stranger (replied the prince), securely rest, Afiane'd in our ur faith; henceforth our guest." Ibid., xv. 304-6 108 af-fi-ançed, pa. par. & a. [AFFIANCE, v.] As adjective: "It is Baptiste, and his aflanced maiden." Long fellow: Blind Girl of Castel-Cuilé.