Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Old French
Origin: estance, from Vulgar Latin stantia, from Latin stare 'to stand'

stance

 noun
     
stance [countable usually singular]
1 an opinion that is stated publicly [= stand]
stance on
What is your stance on environmental issues?
stance against
a strong stance against abortion
take/adopt a stance
The President has adopted a tough stance on terrorism.
2 a position in which you stand, especially when playing a sport:
a fighting stance
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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