n. [ OF. despense, F. dépense, buffet, buttery, fr. OF. despendre to spend, distribute, L. dispendere, dispensum. See Dispense, Spend. ] 1. 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. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bluff Harry broke into the spence,
And turned the cowls adrift. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The inner apartment of a country house; also, the place where the family sit and eat. [ Scot. ] Jamieson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From the third Earl Spencer, who first wore it, or brought it into fashion. ] A short jacket worn by men and by women. Ld. Lutton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) A fore-and-aft sail, abaft the foremast or the mainmast, hoisted upon a small supplementary mast and set with a gaff and no boom; a trysail carried at the foremast or mainmast; -- named after its inventor, Knight Spencer, of England [ 1802 ]. [ 1913 Webster ]

Spencer mast, a small mast just abaft the foremast or mainmast, for hoisting the spencer. R. H. Dana, Jr. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. despensier. See Spence, and cf. Dispenser. ] One who has the care of the spence, or buttery. [ Obs. ] Promptorium Parvulorum. [ 1913 Webster ]