frequence

English

Etymology

See frequency.

Noun

frequence (countable and uncountable, plural frequences)

1. (obsolete) A crowd or throng of people.
   • 1671, John Milton, “The Second Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: J. M for John Starkey , →OCLC, page 35:

     I, as I undertook, and with the vote / Conſenting in full frequence was impower'd, […]

   • 1886, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, “Locksley Hall Sixty Years After”, in Locksley Hall Sixty Years After etc., London, New York, N.Y.: Macmillan and Co., →OCLC, page 12:

     Half the marvels of my morning, triumphs over time and space, / Staled by frequence, shrunk by usage into commonest commonplace!

2. (obsolete) Frequency; abundance.
   • 1622, Ios. Hall [i.e., Joseph Hall], “ The Dumbe Deuill Eiected.”, in Contemplations , , volume VI, London: I H for Nathaniel Butter, →OCLC, pages 338–339:

     Raritie and difficultie are wont to cauſe wonder; There are many things which haue wonder in their worth, and leeſe it in their frequence; there are ſome which haue it in their ſtrangeneſſe, and leeſe it in their facilitie; Both meet in this.

   • 1914 January, Zane Grey, “The Mountain Trail”, in The Light of Western Stars: A Romance, New York, N.Y., London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, →OCLC, page 225:

     The storm-center gathered slowly around the peaks; low rumble and bowl of thunder increased in frequence; slowly the light shaded as smoky clouds rolled up; the air grew sultrier, and the exasperating breeze puffed a few times and then failed.

References

• “frequence”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.