Obs. [f. F. fiancer, f. fiance a promise; see prec.]
1. trans. a. = AFFIANCE v. 2. b. To give one’s troth to; to take as one’s betrothed.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour, lxxvii. (1868), 99. He wold graunte and fyaunce her to a man whiche was a paynym and theyr enemye.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 433 a. The Duke of Florence had fiaunced his daughter to Ascanio the Byshop of Romes nephewe, and meanes were deuised, to auaunce hym by this mariage.
1613–8. S. Daniel, The Collection of the Historie of England, 29. Harold was fyanced to Adeliza, the Dukes daughter.
b. 1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 119 b/2. Another louer whych hath gyuen to me many better Iewellis whych hath fyanced me by his fayth.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, xviii. 50. To fyaunce and to kys thre tymes the fayre Esclaramonde.
1587. Harmar, trans. Beza’s Serm., i. 9. In this spiritual mariage he hath as it were fianced & betrothed to himself his church.
2. To make to promise, put upon one’s parole.
1592. Wyrley, Armorie, 74.
| Vnto their aid: as foes were take or slaine, | |
| Rich prisoners were woon and fienced | |
| Vpon their faiths: which lost our men there gaine. |
