dependance

See also: Dependance, dépendance, and Dépendance

English

Etymology

From Middle French dépendance, equivalent to depend +‎ -ance.

Noun

dependance (countable and uncountable, plural dependances)

1. (archaic) dependence
   • 1651, Thomas Hobbes, Leviathon, Chapter 5

     Science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependance of one fact upon another...

   • 1672, Sir Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, 6th edition, book 3, chapter 12:

     More veniable is a dependance upon the Philosophers stone, potable gold, or any of those Arcana's whereby Paracelsus that died himself at forty seven, gloried that he could make other men immortal.

   • c. 1794, Jane Austen, “[Lady Susan.] XXIX. Lady Susan Venon to Mrs. Johnson.”, in J[ames] E[dward] Austen[-]Leigh, A Memoir of Jane Austen: […] to which is Added Lady Susan and Fragments of Two Other Unfinished Tales by Miss Austen, 2nd edition, London: Richard Bentley and Son, […], published 1871, →OCLC, page 273:

     I am still doubtful at times as to marrying; if the old man would die I might not hesitate, but a state of dependance on the caprice of Sir Reginald will not suit the freedom of my spirit; […]

   • 1814, Maria Edgeworth, chapter VI, in Patronage. […], volume I, London: […] [J. M‘Creery] for J[oseph] Johnson and Co., […], →OCLC, page 199:

     He says, however, that he is sure he is happier, even in this situation, than are some of his cousins at this instant, who are struggling in poverty to be genteel, or to keep up a family name, and he would not change places with those who are in a state of idle and opprobrious dependance.

2. Misspelling of dependence.

Derived terms

• dependancy

 

Italian

Alternative forms

• dépendance

Etymology

From French. Doublet of dipendenza.

Noun

dependance f (invariable)

1. outbuilding