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hance

noun
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\ ˈhan(t)s \
plural -s

Definition of hance

1 : a curved contour on a ship (as the fall of the fife rail to the deck)
2a(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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History and Etymology for hance

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

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“Hance.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hance. Accessed 27 January 2020.

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