[f. ABEAR v. + -ANCE, being a synonym of ABEARING, on the analogy of the pairs appearing, appearance, abhorring, abhorrence, etc., formed on vbs. of Romance origin.] Behavior; always in phr. good abearance.
1568. Watson, Polybius, 93 a. Of their confederates and mates they would cut of, and keep the lands, for good abearance.
c. 1630. Jackson, Creed, II. xxxi. Wks. II. 144. The supreme magistrate might bind their tongues and pens to good abearance.
1683. Col. Rec. Pennsylv., I. 88. To finde good security for thy good abearance.
1768. Blackst., Comm., IV. 256. The other species of recognizance with sureties is for the good abearance or good behaviour.
