perceivance

English

Etymology

From perceive +‎ -ance?

Noun

perceivance (uncountable)

1. (obsolete) perception.
   • 1642, John Milton, The Reason of Church-Government Urg’d against Prelaty; republished in A Complete Collection of the Historical, Political, and Miscellaneous Works of John Milton, […], volume I, Amsterdam [actually London: s.n.], 1698, →OCLC, page 229:

     His particular End in every Man is, by the infliction of pain, damage, and diſgrace, that the Senſes and common perceivance might carry this Meſſage to the Soul within, that it is neither eaſeful, profitable, nor praiſ-worthy in this Life to do evil.

References

• “perceivance”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.