spence

See also: Spence

English

Alternative forms

• spense

Etymology

From Middle English spence, spense, borrowed from Middle French despense, from Medieval Latin dīspēnsa, noun use of feminine of Latin dīspēnsus, past participle of dīspendere (“weigh out”).

Pronunciation

• Audio (Canada):

  (file)

Noun

spence (plural spences)

1. (UK, dialect, dated) A buttery or pantry.
   • 1906, Enys Tregarthen, North Cornwall Fairies and Legends, page 77:

     'I expect it was a dog which got into the spence and licked up the junket and ate the biscuits,' put in the old turf-cutter. 'I would lock and bar the spence-door, if I were you, the next time I put such nice things in there.'

Related terms

• spencer
• Spencer

Anagrams

• pences

Middle English

Noun

spence

1. alternative form of spense

Derived terms

• spencer
• Spencer

Descendants

• English: spence