Obs. [f. prec. sb. Cf. OF. quittancer (Godef.).]
1. intr. To give a discharge. rare–1.
1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 108. I … graunte to my sayd atturnays … to take playnt and arest … and to relece and quitaunce [etc.].
2. trans. To give up, cancel. = QUIT v. 5.
1592. Greene, Conny catching, II. 2 b. Shall I be made a slaue because I am bound to you: no no, I can quittance my indenture when I list.
3. To repay, requite (a person, service, injury, etc.).
1590. Greene, Orl. Fur., Wks. (Rtldg.), 95. Hate calls me on to quittance all my ills.
1620. Swetnam Arraign’d (1880), 35. Ere long, It may be in Our power to quittance him.
1624. Heywood, Gunaik., I. 54.
| With entertainments due, to quittance this, | |
| He guerdons Midas with his golden wish. |
