affiance

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   archaic: to promise someone in marriage; to betroth

   The families planned to affiance their heirs when both came of age.

2. 2
   noun

   archaic: a solemn pledge, especially an engagement to marry

   Their public affiance bound the two households together.

From Middle French affiance, 'pledge or trust,' and affier, from Medieval Latin affidare, 'to pledge one's faith,' ultimately based on Latin fidere, 'to trust.' The general idea of a binding pledge narrowed especially to a promise of marriage.

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