v. Obs. Also 5–7 -ha(u)nse, 6 exhaunce. [alteration of ENHANCE, after words beginning with EX-.] = ENHANCE 2 b, 4, 5.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour, lxix. (1868), 91. The iugementis of God are merueilous, for … he exhaunsithe the meke, that besechithe his grace and mercy.
c. 1590. Secret Mem. Earl Leicester (1706), 73. He that may … return the same [lands] … into Her Majesties Hands by a fresh Exchange, Rent for Rent, for other Lands never exhaunced before.
1656. Sanderson, Serm. (1689), 427. Exhaunsing of Fees, trucking for Expedition, racking of Rents, cracking of Bankrupts, depopulating of Towns, projecting of Monopolies.
1667. Waterhouse, Fire Lond., 104. The … pretended Labourers … exhansed the rates of their own portadge.
