Dur"ance (?), n. [OF. durance duration, fr. L. durans, -antis, p. pr. durare to endure, last. See Dure, and cf. Durant.]

1.

Continuance; duration. See Endurance.

[Archaic]

Of how short durance was this new-made state! Dryden.

2.

Imprisonment; restraint of the person; custody by a jailer; duress. Shak.

"Durance vile."

Burns.

In durance, exile, Bedlam or the mint. Pope.

3. (a)

A stout cloth stuff, formerly made in imitation of buff leather and used for garments; a sort of tammy or everlasting.

Where didst thou buy this buff? let me not live but I will give thee a good suit of durance. J. Webster.

(b)

In modern manufacture, a worsted of one color used for window blinds and similar purposes

.

 

© Webster 1913.