† deˈmonstrance Obs.
Also 5 -aunce.
[a. OF. demonstrance (still in Cotgr.), orig. demustrance, demostrance, f. stem of L. dēmonstrānt-em, pr. pple. of dēmonstrāre: see -ance.]
1. A showing forth or pointing out; manifestation, indication; a sign.
| 1430 Lydg. Chron. Troy iv. xxxv, A fynall demonstraunce Sothfast shewing, and signifyaunce [that]..hap of olde fortune..might not contune. c 1430 ― Min. Poems (1840) 60 (Mätzn.) The hevenly signe makith demonstraunce How worldly thynges goo forwarde. c 1477 Caxton Jason 27 b, They shewid him so many demonstraunces that he..toke upon him the charge. 1481 ― Godfrey 246 For demonstraunce that oure lord and his dere moder oure lady shold gyue to them vyctorye, [they] toke the baner of Tancre, and sette it on hye vpon the chirche of oure lady. 1594 Carew Tasso (1881) 12 He plaine demonstrance gaue, Th' allowance longs to you, sole t' adde I haue. 1627 Bp. M. Wren Serm. 11 What demonstrance withall he must make of the same. 1704 D'Urfey Royal Converts 252 Blessings sublunary prove The kind demonstrances of Gracious Love. |
2. Demonstration; proof.
| 1481 Caxton Myrr. iii. xviii. 175 In lyke wyse preuyd they..by very demonstraunce and by reson, that the Sonne is gretter than alle therthe is. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 303 (R.) Good reasons and demonstrances of how many calamities peevish obstinacy is the cause. 1646 R. Junius Cure Misprision (L.), If one or a few sinfull acts were a sufficient demonstrance of an hypocrite, what would become of all the elect? |
3. Setting forth of a plaintiff's case; = demonstration 4.
| [1292 Britton iii. xxvi. §6 Par variaunce del bref et de la demoustraunce seroit le bref abatable.] 1625 Darcie Annales A iij [transl. from Fr.], The aduises and counsailes, the requests and demonstrances. |