durance
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈdʌrəns/
- Archaic
:
duranza
- The novel tells the story of a hero who endured long durance in a dark cell.
- durance vile
Examples
-
During his durance, he reflected on his life and thought about freedom.
-
And the times we've been incarcerated... in durance vile!
-
I do think Durance is good for a cheaper candle, although, again, the scent is weaker.
Blog text (31) -
"It may be possible, since I acknowledge you did do me a very great favor in freeing me from my enforced durance, to do you a small favor.
Fiction book (1998) -
"Rescuing the fair maid from terror and durance vile," Cleta said.
Fiction book (1995) -
The man, sir, that, when gentlemen are tired, gives them a sob and 'rests them; he, sir, that takes pity on decayed men and gives them suits of durance... he that sets up his rest to do more exploits with his mace than a morris-pike!"
-
After being captured during the war, the soldiers faced two years of durance in a prisoner camp.
Synonyms
155
3.9
A situation in which someone is kept and not allowed to leave, often by police until a decision is made
88
4.0
Being kept in prison as a punishment by law
85
8.0
Being kept in prison as punishment
A time when someone is kept as a prisoner and not free
Harsh, long time in prison or suffering that someone must endure against their will
Antonyms
Compounds
- Archaic
Harsh, long time in prison or suffering that someone must endure against their will
How Severe
- Formal
15
4.7
- Archaic
1
9.9
- Formal
88
4.0
80
5.9
155
3.9
Surface Forms
Etymology
Durance comes from the old Latin root dur- meaning 'hard' or 'to last', and it is related to English words like endure and duration. So a durance is long hardship or being kept for a long time, and because you must 'endure' it, it came to mean 'imprisonment'.