† ˈnoyance Obs.
Also 4–6 noyaunce, 6 noiance.
[Aphetic form of annoyance.]
1. A source of annoyance; a nuisance.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 3444 Longe lastede þat ilk distaunce, To þe breþere gret noyaunce. 1534 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 124 They..doe use to reforme all common noyaunces. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. iv. (1586) 179 Whereby the winde..may dry vp all Cobwebbes, or such like noiances. 1639 G. Daniel Ecclus. xliii. 55 Soe, for the Summer's Sun (noyance as great) A gentle Dew falls, to allay the heat. 1670 J. Smith Eng. Improv. Reviv'd 99 That the distance of them be such, that every Tree be not a noyance..to his fellows. |
2. The condition or fact of being annoyed, troubled, or harmed.
| c 1400 Brut clxi. 180 Kyng Edward dede his diligence..to amende þe noyaunce of þe commune peple. 1494 Act II Hen. VII, c. 13 Preamble, The Price..[is] greatly enhansed here, to the Loss and Noyance of all the King's Subjects. 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) ii. vii. 102 Slouthe the whiche is an heuynesse and noyaunce to doo well. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 165 Other coynes of mettall went among the people, to their great noyaunce. |
3. The action of annoying or troubling; annoyance, molestation.
| 1431 Eng. Gilds (1870) 279 In disturblyng and noyaunce of the compenye. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 193/2 She was sore aferd leste he wold do to her ony gryef or noyance ayenst her avowe. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccxix. 282 We shall go and do hym some noyaunce and domage. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. i. xxiii, A cloud of cumbrous gnattes doe him molest,..That from their noyance he no where can rest. [1748 Thomson Cast. Indol. i. vi, Whate'er smack'd of noyance, or unrest, Was far, far off expelled.] |
So † ˈnoyancy. Obs. rare—1.
| 1414 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 59/1 Mischiefs that mighten..turne to gret prejudice to the kyng, & noiancie to al the Reume. |