† sigˈnifiance Obs.
Also 3–4 signefia(u)nce, 4–5 signifiaunce (5 -yfi-, -yffy-); 4 syngnefi-, 5– fyaunce, etc.
[a. OF. signe-, signifiance, etc.: see signify v. and -ance.]
= significance.
| c 1250 Kent. Serm. in O.E. Misc. 28 Nu ye habbet i-herd þo signefiance of þo offringes þet maden þo þrie kinges of heþenesse to gode. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 8243 Þe white dragon ys syngnefiaunce Þat þey schul take of þe vengaunce. c 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 362 A straw for alle swevenes signifiaunce! 1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 135 A signyfiance and a tokyne of connynge and vndyrstondynge. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour e b, Here may the sinnar take faire signyffyaunce or ensample. c 1570 Pride & Lowl. (1841) 3 Of his woords and speach who did misdeeme, Or sought not rather their signifiance. |