Laurence

• Lawrence (usual US spelling)

From the name of a third century Roman martyr, Latin Laurentius, "a person from Laurentum", the place name possibly derived from laurus (“laurel”) .

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈlɒ.ɹəns/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈlɔɹəns/
• (NYC) IPA^(key): /ˈlɑɹəns/
• Rhymes: -ɒɹəns

Laurence (plural Laurences)

1. A male given name from Latin, feminine equivalent Lauren
   • c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv]:

     Romeo: Bid her devise / Some means to come to shrift this afternoon; / And there she shall at Friar Laurence' cell / Be shriv'd and married.

   • 1835, Mary Shelley, Lodore, Wallis&Newell, published 1835, page 30:

     "I will do any thing, however impossible, if you will only not call me Mr Hervey. Why am I not Laurence to you - Miss Vivian calls me Laurence - I am Laurence to every one but you - let me hear you call me Laurence," in an earnest manner.

2. A surname originating as a patronymic.

• feminine forms: Lauren, Laura
• pet forms: Larry, Laurie, Lawrie, Lol
• surnames: Laurie, Lourie, Loury, Lowrie, Lowry
• variants: Lars, Loren, Lorenzo

• Laura and its variants

• cerulean, crenulae

• IPA^(key): /lɔ.ʁɑ̃s/, /lo.ʁɑ̃s/

• Audio

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Laurence f

1. a female given name, masculine equivalent Laurent, equivalent to English Lauren
2. (very rare) Lawrence: a male given name, equivalent to English Laurence

   Laurence Oustau (b. 1835)

• feminine forms: Marie-Laurence, Anne-Laurence

• enculera