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hance

noun \ ˈhan(t)s \

Definition of hance

plural -s
1 :a curved contour on a ship (as the fall of the fife rail to the deck)
2 a (1) :the arc of minimum radius at the springing of an elliptical or similar arch
(2) :the haunch of an arch
b :a small arch joining a straight lintel to a jamb

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Origin and Etymology of hance

obsolete English hance, haunce lintel, from hance, haunce to raise, from Middle English hauncen, probably short for enhauncen

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