释义 |
† spousess Obs. Forms: 4–7 spousesse, 5–7 spowsesse, 6 spouses. [f. spouse n. + -ess1.] A female spouse; a wife, bride. Also, a betrothed or affianced woman. Chiefly fig. in religious use (cf. spouse n. 3).
1388Wyclif Isaiah lxi. 11 As a spouse made feir with a coroun, and as a spousesse ourned with her brochis. 1395Purvey Remonstr. (1851) 53 Bi sovereyn wisdom, goodnesse, and love to holi chirche his spousesse. c1430Life St. Kath. (1884) 21 The Spouse loueth the Spousesse, the Sauyour visiteth hir. c1480in Lib. Pontif. Bainbridge (Surtees) 238 To kepe us his true handmaydyns, virgins, and spousessis. 1513Bradshaw St. Werburge i. 3076 Her spouse Ihesus hauynge pyte and cure Vpon his spouses. 1547tr. Abp. Herman's Consultation H h vj, They whiche haue mutually promised matrimonie betwene themselues shal go both the spouse and spousesse [etc.]. 1615Curry-Combe for Coxe-Combe iv. 157 The Mother of Christians, the Spousesse of the Holy Ghost. |