I. əˈfīən(t)s, aˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English affiaunce, from Middle French affiance, afiance, from affier, afier to trust (from Medieval Latin affidare, from Latin ad- + fidare to trust) + -ance; akin to Latin fides faith, fidere to trust — more at bide
1. archaic : trust , reliance , faith , confidence
2. archaic : plighted faith : marriage contract or promise
3. obsolete : close or intimate relationship
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French afiancer, from afiance, n.
: to pledge one's faith to for marriage : solemnly promise (oneself or another) in marriage : betroth , engage
the king affianced his daughter to the ruler of a neighboring principality
the affianced couple will marry next month