noun Uncommon

Spence

SPEHNS

Spence (noun) means a small pantry or storeroom used for keeping food and household supplies, chiefly in older British homes. Example: “The cook kept the jams and cured meats in the cold spence off the kitchen.”

noun

A small pantry or storeroom used for keeping food and household supplies, chiefly in older British homes.

"The cook kept the jams and cured meats in the cold spence off the kitchen."

name

A surname, and an informal short form of the given name Spencer.

How to use Spence

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old British word for a household pantry, or a nickname for Spencer.

Word forms

spences plural

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The cook kept the jams and cured meats in the cold _____ off the kitchen.

Etymology

From Middle English spense, borrowed from Old French despense ("storeroom"), ultimately from Latin dispendere ("to weigh out" or "dispense").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for Spence

hence fence whence thence valence absence science silence defence essence ambience opulence

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Spence” mean?

The word “Spence” means a small pantry or storeroom used for keeping food and household supplies, chiefly in older British homes. In plain terms, an old British word for a household pantry, or a nickname for Spencer.

How do you pronounce “Spence”?

“Spence” is pronounced SPEHNS (/ˈspɛns/ in IPA).

How do you use “Spence” in a sentence?

Here is “Spence” used in a sentence: “The cook kept the jams and cured meats in the cold spence off the kitchen.”

What part of speech is “Spence”?

Depending on how it is used, “Spence” can be a noun and a name.

Where does the word “Spence” come from?

The word “Spence” comes from Latin. From Middle English spense, borrowed from Old French despense ("storeroom"), ultimately from Latin dispendere ("to weigh out" or "dispense").

Is “Spence” a common word?

“Spence” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Spence” have?

“Spence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small pantry or storeroom used for keeping food and household supplies, chiefly in older British homes.