Obs. Forms: 4–5 alegeance, -aunce, -eaunce, all-, allegg-, erron. allegiance. [a. OFr. alegeance, alejance, mod. allégeance, f. aléger to relieve: see ALLEGE v.1, and -ANCE.] Alleviation, lightening, relief.

1

1297.  R. Glouc., 85. Mo and mo Þer come for enlegeance to habbe of heore wo.

2

c. 1315.  Shoreham, 42. Alleggaunce of his sennes.

3

a. 1400.  Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS., 8. In lyghtenes and alegeance of þaire sekenes.

4

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 4570. Sende me socour or allegeaunce.

5

c. 1430.  Lydg., Bochas, II. vii. (1554), 49 b. And of his peyne feleth alegeaunce.

6

1483.  Caxton, Cato, h vij. Alegeaunce of a ryght grete and heuy fardel.

7