noun
rance
rans
Rance (noun) means a reddish Belgian marble often streaked with white or blue veining, used in decorative stonework. Example: “The fireplace surround was carved from polished rance, its red surface shot through with pale veins.”
noun
1
A reddish Belgian marble often streaked with white or blue veining, used in decorative stonework.
"The fireplace surround was carved from polished rance, its red surface shot through with pale veins."
2
A wooden prop, brace, or spreader bar, such as the crossbar fitted between the legs of a chair for extra support.
"A loose rance under the old chair meant it wobbled every time someone sat down."
verb
1
To prop, brace, or shore something up.
"They ranced the sagging fence post with a length of scrap timber."
How to use rance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fairly obscure word — either a decorative red marble, or a brace/prop between chair legs (and the verb meaning to prop something up).
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Word forms
- Plural
- rances
- Third person singular
- rances
- Past tense
- ranced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fireplace surround was carved from polished _____, its red surface shot through with pale veins.
Etymology
From Old French ranche, tracing back to Latin ramex/ramus ("branch"), the same idea of a supporting limb behind the English word "ramus."
Related words
Rhymes for rance
See all rhymes for rance →Frequently asked questions
What does “rance” mean?
The word “rance” means a reddish Belgian marble often streaked with white or blue veining, used in decorative stonework. In plain terms, a fairly obscure word — either a decorative red marble, or a brace/prop between chair legs (and the verb meaning to prop something up).
How do you pronounce “rance”?
“Rance” is pronounced rans (/ɹæns/ in IPA).
How do you use “rance” in a sentence?
Here is “rance” used in a sentence: “The fireplace surround was carved from polished rance, its red surface shot through with pale veins.”
What part of speech is “rance”?
Depending on how it is used, “rance” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rance” come from?
The word “rance” comes from Latin. From Old French ranche, tracing back to Latin ramex/ramus ("branch"), the same idea of a supporting limb behind the English word "ramus.".
How many meanings does “rance” have?
“Rance” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a reddish Belgian marble often streaked with white or blue veining, used in decorative stonework.
