[a. F. fréquence, ad. L. frequentia, f. frequent-em: see FREQUENT and -ENCE.]
1. An assembling in large numbers; a crowded state or condition; also concr. concourse, crowd, assembled throng. Obs. exc. arch.
1535. J. ap Rice, in Four C. Eng. Lett., 33. There was here suche frequence of women commyng and reassorting to this monastery as to no place more.
1579. Fulke, Confut. Sanders, 542. There were many martyrs and confessours at Rome in the primitiue churche, the cause was the great multitude of people in that church by reason of the frequens of the imperial city.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 11. I was encouraged with a sufficient frequence of Auditors.
1671. Milton, P. R., I. 128.
| Of the Most High who, in full frequence bright | |
| Of Angels, thus to Gabriel smiling spake. |
1835. Browning, Paracelsus, II. 242. Hold me before the frequence of Thy seraphs. Ibid. (1871), Balaustion, 2001. He … knew the friendly frequence there.
† 2. Constant use of (something); familiarity, close acquaintance. Obs.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, II. xxxvii. (1632), 428. He alone submitted himselfe to that arte [medicine], as I imagine by reason of the frequence he had in other Sciences.
1617. Bp. Hall, Quo Vadis? § 20. 79. Besides the ordinary practise of Idolatry, and frequence of oathes. Ibid. (1624), Rem. Wks. (1660) 4. Oh ye foolish Israelites with whom too much frequence made the food of Angels contemptible.
3. Frequent occurrence or repetition.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, III. v. 522. The long-continued frequence of this accident, should by this time have seasoned the bitter taste thereof.
1641. Bp. Hall, Answ. Vind. Smectymnuus, Preface, 1. It is not long since I sent forth a meek and peaceable Remonstrance, bemoaning the frequence of scandalous Pasquins, and humbly pleading for the just and ancient right of Leiturgie and Episcopacie.
1868. Browning, Ring & Bk., VI. 1135.
| Ever some spiritual witness new and new | |
| In faster frequence, crowding solitude | |
| To watch the way o’ the warfare. |
1889. L. Keith, Hurric. Petticoats, I. x. 212. The granny who falls asleep over her best story, and wakes up to tell it anew with a zest that is never staled by frequence.
† b. Physics. = FREQUENCY 4 b. Obs. rare–1.
1748. Hartley, Observations on Man, I. ii. 119. When two Vibrations of different Kinds, or Frequences, are impressed at the same time, they must reduce one another to some single intermediate one.
