-ance
Word: -ance-ance Meanings:
- A suffix signifying action; also, quality or state; as, assistance, resistance, appearance, elegance. See -ancy
- Added to an adjective or verb to form a noun indicating a state or condition, such as result or capacity, associated with the verb. ally + -ance → alliance perform + -ance → performance reluctant + -ance → reluctance
- Added to a verb to form a noun indicating a process or action. appear + -ance → appearance resist + -ance → resistance
- Many words ending in "-ance" were formed in French or by alteration of a noun or adjective ending in "-ant".
- Caen, CanE, Cane, Cena, Nace, acne, cane
- Middle French: -anceFrench: -ance
- Scots: -ance (-ence)
- Forms nouns indicating states or processes, usually from verbs or other nouns;
- Suffix appended to words to create a neuter noun, usually to form a diminutive or as an expression of endearment, or to denote an object.