-ence
1.
a noun suffix equivalent to
-ance
, corresponding to the suffix
-ent
in adjectives:
abstinence; continence; dependence; difference
.
Origin
Middle English
<
Old French
<
Latin
-entia,
equivalent to
-ent-
-ent
+
-ia
-y
3
British Dictionary definitions for
-ence
-ence
suffix
1.
indicating an action, state, condition, or quality:
benevolence,
residence,
patience
Word Origin
via Old French from Latin
-entia,
from
-ēns,
present participial ending
Word Origin and History for
-ence
see
-ance
.