Spense
/spɛns/noun
An archaic or dialectal form of “spence,” meaning a pantry or small room used for storing or serving food.
Did you know?The word is closely related to “dispense,” preserving an old idea of provisions being carefully distributed from a household store-room.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pend-
“To hang, weigh, or measure out; the ancient root behind ideas of weighing and payment.”
Classical Latin
Latin
dispensare
“To distribute, administer, or manage provisions and resources.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
dispensa
“A store of provisions or a place where supplies were managed.”
Anglo-Norman French
Old French
despense
“A pantry, storeroom, or place where household provisions were kept.”
Middle English
English
spense
“A pantry or room for storing food; an early form related to “spence.””
Modern dialectal English
English
spense
“An obsolete or regional spelling of “spence,” especially a small pantry or domestic service room.”