ança

Ança is a term that appears in Portuguese-language texts but is not a standard modern entry in major dictionaries. The word is typically considered a nonstandard, archaic, or regional variant of the more common term ânsia, which denotes a strong desire, craving, or anxiety. When encountered, the spelling "ança" is usually explained as historical or dialectal rather than representing a separate lexical item. In contemporary usage, the meaning is generally aligned with the sense of ânsia found in standard Portuguese.

Beyond potential lexical uses, ança can also appear as a proper noun in limited contexts. Some families may bear Ança as a surname, and isolated toponyms or historical references in Lusophone regions may reflect orthographic variation. Such uses are incidental and do not define a distinct cultural or linguistic category.

Because documentation of "ança" is sparse and its status varies by era and region, it is usually treated as a historical or dialectal form rather than a current standard term. For readers seeking the modern equivalent of this sense, ânsia remains the normative reference in standard Portuguese. See also: ânsia, ansiedade.