affiance, affyaunce

[Norm.-Fr. affiaunce confidence; Ital. fidanza, fidenza = confidence; Sp. fianza =bail, surety; Low Lat. fidantia, fr. Lat. fides faith.] [See the verb.) 1. A contract of marriage, betrothal; the solemn pledging of faith to marry a certain person, or give a certain person in marriage. "At last such grace I found, and means I wrought, That I that lady to my spouse had won; Accord of friends, consent of parents sought, Afyaunce made, my happine begun." Spenser F. Q., II. iv. 21. "In many countries it is nece ary to tarry long in the vestibule of the temple hef before advancing to the altar under the title of affiances."-Bowring: 9: Ben tham's Works , L. 357. 2. Affinity, connection. religion and superstition have more at ance, though the one be light and the other darkne , than superstition and profanene , which are both vicious extremities."- Hooker: Eccl. Pol ., v., § 65. 3. Implicit, or at least strong, trust in man or in God. "Ah! what's more dangerous than this fond aflance) Seems he a dove? his feathers are but borrowed." Shakesp.: Henry VI., Part II ., iii. L "There can be no surer way to succe , than by disclaiming all confidence in ourselves, and referring the events of things to God with an implicit a fiance ."Atterbury: Sermons.