rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -ance
Old French

-ance

a state, condition, or action

Forms

  • -ance

Origin

Old French -ance continues Latin -antia.

Note

English often keeps the French noun even when a related describing word ends in -ant.

5 / 24
A nurse calmly reassures an anxious patient with a confident steady gaze and comforting hand gesture, doubt easing, no speech text.
noun

assurance

uh-SHOOR-uns/əˈʃʊrəns/

Confidence that something is certain or dependable.

Etymology
asLatinto, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis
+surLatinsafe, secure
+anceOld Frencha state, condition, or action

The root “safe, secure” underlies the idea of making someone feel sure. A pledge or promise provides that security, so an assurance is a statement intended to replace doubt with confidence.

Full entry

Related word entries