Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AF-FI'ANCE, n. [Norm. affiaunce, confidence; Fr. fiancer, to betroth; Sp. fianza, security in bail, afianzar, to give security or bail, from fiar, to trust, to bail, to confide in; Port. id.; Fr. fier, to trust; It. fidare, affidare, to trust, fidanza, confidence, fidanzare, to betroth, from L. fido, fides.]

1. The marriage contract or promise; faith pledged.
2. Trust in general; confidence; reliance. The Christian looks to God with implicit affiance. – Hammond.