spence

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

spence, n. [OF. despense, F. dépense, buffet, buttery, fr. OF. despendre to spend, distribute, L. dispendere, dispensum. See Dispense, Spend.].

•  A place where provisions are kept; a buttery; a larder; a pantry.  [1913 Webster]

  "In . . . his spence, or “pantry” were hung the carcasses of a sheep or ewe, and two cows lately slaughtered."  [1913 Webster]

  "Bluff Harry broke into the spence,
  And turned the cowls adrift."  [1913 Webster]
•  The inner apartment of a country house; also, the place where the family sit and eat.  Jamieson.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

spence, n. archaic a buttery or larder.

Etymology

ME f. OF despense f. L dispensa fem. past part. of dispendere: see DISPENSE

ROGET THESAURUS

spence

Store

N store, stock, fund, mine, vein, lode, quarry, spring, fount, fountain, well, wellspring, milch cow, stock in trade, supply, heap, treasure, reserve, corps de reserve, reserved fund, nest egg, savings, bonne bouche, crop, harvest, mow, vintage, store, accumulation, hoard, rick, stack, lumber, relay, storehouse, storeroom, storecloset, depository, depot, cache, repository, reservatory, repertory, repertorium, promptuary, warehouse, entrepot, magazine, buttery, larder, spence, garner, granary, cannery, safe-deposit vault, stillroom, thesaurus, bank, armory, arsenal, dock, gallery, museum, conservatory, menagery, menagerie, reservoir, cistern, aljibar, tank, pond, mill pond, gasometer, budget, quiver, bandolier, portfolio, coffer, conservation, storing, storage, keep, file (papers), lay in, preserve, Adj, stored, in store, in reserve, in ordinary, spare, supernumerary, adde parvum parvo magnus acervus erit.