espousaln.adj.

Brit.

/ᵻˈspaʊzl/,

/ɛˈspaʊzl/, U.S.

/ᵻˈspaʊzəl/,

/ɛˈspaʊzəl/,

/ᵻˈspaʊsəl/,

/ɛˈspaʊsəl/

Forms: Middle English espoisall, Middle English esposaile, Middle English esposels (plural), Middle English espousailles (plural), Middle English espousalys (plural), Middle English espousayls (plural), Middle English espousel, Middle English espouselx (plural), Middle English espowsailles (plural), Middle English espowsaylles (plural), Middle English–1500s espousaile, Middle English–1500s espousaylles (plural), Middle English–1600s espouselles (plural), 1500s espousails (plural), 1500s espousayle, 1500s espowsels (plural), 1500s–1600s espousall, 1500s–1600s espousels (plural), 1500s–1600s espowsal, 1500s–1600s espowsall, 1500s– espousal, 1600s esposals (plural). N.E.D. (1891) also records a form late Middle English espousayle.

Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French esposaile.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman esposaile, esposaille, esposale, espousail, espousel, espouselle, espusaile, espusaille, Anglo-Norman and Middle French espousaille (compare Old French esposaille , espusaille ; French (now rare and literary) épousaille ; chiefly in plural) celebration of a marriage or betrothal (second half of the 12th cent. in Old French; second half of the 13th cent. or earlier in figurative use with reference to symbolic marriage to God or Christ), married state, wedlock (second half of the 12th cent. in Anglo-Norman, 14th cent. in continental French) < classical Latin sponsālia , use as noun of neuter plural of sponsālis sponsal adj. Compare Old Occitan esposalhas , esposallas (13th cent.), Catalan esposalles (14th cent.), Spanish †esponsallas (late 14th cent.; esponsales subsequently from 17th cent.), plural nouns, and Old Occitan esporalha (end of the 13th cent.; transmission error). Compare earlier spousal n., and also sponsalia n.In sense A. 4 after espouse v. 4. In use as adjective probably reinforced by association with adjectives in -al suffix¹; compare also earlier spousal adj.

A. n.

(a) The performance of a ceremony of marriage or (esp.) betrothal; = spousal n. 1a. Also as a count noun: a wedding or betrothal ceremony. Now somewhat rare (chiefly historical in later use).Not always clearly distinguishable from sense A. 1c.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > betrothal > [noun]

truthc1300

betrothingc1315

truthingc1350

espousala1393

troth-plighta1393

desponsationa1400

troth-plightingc1400

ensurance1469

fiançailles1477

handfasting1483

assurancea1513

assuring1530

suring1530

contract1551

insurancea1556

trothing1565

despousage1570

betrothment1585

contracting1585

affiancing1596

spousage1596

espousage1599

handfasta1616

desponsories1645

hand-fastening1662

disposories1668

contraction1702

engagement1811

plightage1819

betrothal1844

heart-bond1887

introduction1965

kwanjula1973

society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > wedding or nuptials > [noun]

wifethingeOE

bridelopeOE

brydthing971

bridelockOE

bridalOE

noces?c1225

wedlocka1300

spousingc1300

weddingc1300

marriagea1375

espousala1393

sponsalia1535

nuptial1566

espousing1581

nuptial1581

marriage rite1592

nuptiallings1600

Hymen1608

marriage ceremony1616

bridaltya1637

confarreation1645

hymeneals1655

farreation1656

church wedding1852

nuptialities1863

shadi1893

matrimonials1986

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iv. l. 1498 (MED) What Maiden hire esposaile Wol tarie, whan sche take mai, Sche schal..Be let.

1588 A. Munday tr. Palmerin D'Oliua lv. sig. T5 I had a Daughter a yeere after our espousall.

1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) 25 His naming of a meet or like help in the first espousall instituted.

1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ iii. xxvi. 96 In the interim, the Earl was commanded not to deliver the foresaid Proxie of the Prince, for the desposories or espousall untill Christmas.

1797 J. Dallaway Constantinople xxii. 353 We..were present at a Greek espousal, a ceremony which engaged our curiosity.

1870 J. Timbs Abbeys, Castles, & Anc. Halls Eng. & Wales 502 The death of Toubert..occurred about three years after their espousal.

1902 Green Bag Nov. 543/1 Women in the primitive Christian times..had two sets of ceremonies for each marriage, the espousal or betrothing, and the actual wedding.

2007 L. Bell et al. Queen & Consort iii. 60/1 The pattern for Victorian Royal Family espousals was established by Queen Victoria's own wedding in 1840.

(b) In plural in same sense. Chiefly historical in later use.

ΚΠ

1430 in H. M. Flasdieck Mittelengl. Originalurkunden (1926) 94 (MED) After the espouselles solempnized by twene the seid Erle and Alice.

1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. avij/1 The fyrst nyght after the espousaylles..Clotyldis..said to the kyng.

1523 Act 14 & 15 Henry VIII c. 8 in Statutes of Realm (1963) III. 216 Every of them so maried may have..ther said offyce..as they dyd..before the said Espouselles.

1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 348/1 Though shee was not paste as then fyue yeares of age..hee caused the espousels by way of procuration to be solemnized with greate feastes and triumphes.

1641 Termes de la Ley. 39 Though it [sc. the child] were borne but one day after the espousels solemnized.

1721 E. Young Revenge i. i Is not the day then fix'd for your espousals?

1726 J. Ayliffe Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani 246 I shall here..define Espousals to be a mutual Promise of a future Marriage.

1779 N. W. Wraxall Let. 11 Feb. in Mem. Courts (1799) II. 160 Providence had decreed that the marriage should never be accomplished... During the interval between her espousals and the time for her quitting Vienna, her mother..insisted on [etc.].

1816 J. T. James Jrnl. Tour iii. 317 This unfortunate nobleman was forced to marry a woman of low extraction, and his espousals were celebrated with..burlesque pomp.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 251 The multitude..drank in eagerly the tale of the secret espousals and the black box.

1912 Jewish Rev. Feb. 429 The Marriage Service has two parts in the Christian Church, espousals or spousage, and the Communion.

1921 J. J. C. Petrovits New Church Law on Matrimony 37 The absence of legal obligation on the part of the betrothed to give their respective bodies to each other by means of matrimony, deprives the espousals of the force of an impedient impediment.

2007 B. A. Hanawalt Wealth of Wives iv. 80 At the espousals, he settled a jointure of London property on her that yielded a yearly value of 10 marks.

†b. The fact or state of being married or betrothed; the married state; wedlock; (also) the period during which a person remains married or betrothed. Sometimes in plural in same sense. Obsolete. to break one's espousal(s): = to break one's spousal at spousal n. 1b.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > [noun]

bridelockOE

yokeOE

spousehooda1200

spousea1225

wedlock?c1225

wedlockhoodc1230

marriagec1300

spousal1340

matrimonya1382

espousala1393

muliera1400

spousagea1400

spouseheadc1400

weddedhooda1450

wedhooda1450

wedding1489

espousage1549

the bond(s of wedlock or matrimony1552

nuptial1566

bed-match1582

bob-tail1585

Hymen's banda1593

Hymen1608

married life1609

conjugality1645

marriage state1652

conjugacy1659

marriage life1662

establishment1684

shackledom1771

connubiality1836

connubialism1848

weddedness1891

bedlock1922

the tender trap1954

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 5815 (MED) He..hadde his espousaile broke.

1431 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1431 §27. m. 5 Alianore..begetyn and born in espousels.

1528–30 tr. T. Littleton Tenures (new ed.) f. iii^v The thyrde parte of the tenementes, whiche were her husbandes durynge the espousels.

1545 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. New Test. (1548) Pref. 15 b Estate and dignitie of espousall and mariage.

1549 H. Latimer 1st Serm. before Kynges Grace sig. Cvii He had rather be sycke euen vnto death then he wold breake his espousels.

1745 C. Viner Gen. Abridgm. Law & Equity XXI. 124 Whether J. S. was an Alien and Bastard, or the Son of W. S. born in Espousals with A.

1888 C. F. Deems Gospel of Common Sense i. 20 His [sc. Joseph's] devoutly beautiful behavior under the trying circumstances of Mary's condition during their espousal.

c. The action of marrying or (esp.) becoming engaged to someone (cf. espouse v. 1); the action of arranging the marriage or betrothal of one person to another (esp. of one's daughter to a particular man; cf. espouse v. 2b). Also as a count noun. Now chiefly historical.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > action or fact of marrying > [noun]

eeOE

weddingc1000

wivingOE

contractc1315

marriagec1325

matrimony1357

unionc1475

maritagec1478

briding1566

espousal1566

match1574

intermarriage1579

despousing1609

espousement1623

nuptial1630

coupling1641

splice1830

intermarrying1843

contraction1885

yokemating1891

1566 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure I. xlvi. f. 278 Vouchsauing so much to abase your selfe to y^e espousal of so pore a Lady.

1595 W. Allen et al. Conf. Next Succession Crowne of Ingland i. vi. 132 The betrothing..is donne by wordes de futuro or for the time to come, and is not properly mariage, but espousal only.

1695 G. B. Faith by which we are Justified 45 The Espousal of a mean person to a Prince, is by his free Love.

1797 R. Heron New Gen. Hist. Scotl. III. v. i. 390 To violate his plighted faith in respect to the espousal of his daughter.

1846 Parl. Gazetteer Ireland, 1844–5 II. 364/1 The abbey lands..passed to Michael Cromie, Esq., by his espousal of Lady Gertrude, the daughter and heiress of Ford Lambart, fifth earl of Cavan.

1889 Amer. Jrnl. Philol. 10 348 The ardent knight, who serves incognito as cupbearer to his lady-love..his further adventures and exploits..his final declaration of himself and espousal of the lady—all of these are detailed..in the usual romance style.

1984 A. J. Podlecki Early Greek Poets & their Times ii. 47 An elaborate biographical myth grew up concerning a certain Lycambes' espousal of his daughter Neoboule to Archilochus.

2007 Brit. Art Jrnl. Winter 21/2 It is highly unlikely that the marriage of Allucius and his bride refers to Buckingham's espousal of Lady Catherine Manners.

2. figurative. A union or alliance of one thing or person to another, likened to a marriage or betrothal, esp. with reference to the idea of symbolic marriage to God or Christ. Also in plural in same sense. Cf. spousal n. 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > [noun] > union of man with

spousal1340

unition?a1425

espousal?c1450

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > [noun] > close, intimate, or permanent joining

spousal1340

weddingc1380

solding1398

marriagec1400

espousal?c1450

soldering?1550

marryinga1566

twist1580

suture1600

welding1603

ferrumination1606

cementation1836

cementing1868

?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 147 Where as was made the espoisall [Fr. les espousailles], and the alyaunce and knyttynge of the godhede vnto the manhode.

1598 F. Meres tr. Luis de Granada Sinners Guyde i. xvi. 176 What other thing is to be wished of thee, then..that thou mayst receaue in this life, the pledge, and earnest of the diuine espousals?

1611 Bible (King James) Jer. ii. 2 Thus sayth the Lord, I remember thee, the kindnesse of thy youth, the loue of thine espousals .

1638 C. Aleyn Hist. Henrie VII 142 Your Marriage is their contract, and inferres Th' espousals of those Kingdomes.

1638 G. H. in R. Sibbes Brides Longing (new ed.) Ep. to Rdr. sig. A5 Wee must make sure our espousall to Christ here.

1673 E. Pearse Best Match ii. 22 Thus I have shewen you what this Espousal or Marriage-relation between Christ and Believers is.

1707 I. Watts Hymns & Spiritual Songs i. 69 Let every Act of Worship be Like our Espousals, Lord, to Thee.

1849 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1866) 1st Ser. iii. 44 In the first espousals of the soul.

1852 A. Jameson Legends Monastic Orders (ed. 2) Introd. p. xxii To solemnise the espousals of sanctity with poverty.

1855 J. H. Newman Callista xix We have possession of Him [sc. Christ]. It is an espousal for eternity.

1916 D. J. Murphy tr. J. Sicardo Life Sister St. Rita xvii. 82 On the night of..her espousals with her divine Fiance, through the three vows of religion, St. Rita was the recipient of a singular favor.

2009 G. Mangiaracina Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ 217 It is out of this experience of the soul's espousal to God through Christ that the soul will be able to live a life of service to her brothers and sisters.

†3. An espoused person; a person's betrothed; a husband or wife. Obsolete.Quot. 1543 may belong at sense A. 1b.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > married person > [noun] > spouse, consort, or partner

ferec975

matchOE

makec1175

spousea1200

lemanc1275

fellowc1350

likea1393

wed-ferea1400

partyc1443

espouse?c1450

bedfellow1490

yokefellow?1542

espousal1543

spouse1548

mate1549

marrow1554

paragon1557

yokemate1567

partner1577

better halfa1586

twin1592

moiety1611

copemate1631

consort1634

half-marrow1637

matrimonya1640

helpmeet1661

other half1667

helpmate1715

spousie1735

life companion1763

worse half1783

life partner1809

domestic partner1815

ball and chain1921

lover1969

1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 18 To his espousaile [c1475 Harl. espouse], The dukes doughter of Melayn.

1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xxi. 765/1 I neither will nor intend to consent..vnto the said Lady Katherine as my espousall and wife.

1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes 2nd Pt. Don Quixote xxi. 137 Therefore take me, and I deliuer my selfe as thy espousall.

4. The action or an act of espousing or supporting a cause, party, opinion, course of action, etc. See espouse v. 4.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > [noun] > supporting or encouraging > specifically a cause, principle, etc.

sustenance1387

friendliness1558

espousing1581

espousement1623

espousal1654

through-bearing1656

1654 J. Hall Of Govt. & Obed. iv. 462 The espousal of personal quarrels and injuries.

1674 W. Lloyd Difference Church & Court of Rome 34 The espousal and owning of this bloody Fact, after its execution.

1680 R. Ferguson Let. to Person of Honour conc. Kings Disavowing 13 They reckoned they had wrought him to such an espousal of his Brother.

1683 Addr. from Carmarthen in London Gaz. No. 1856/5 The Fanaticks pious pretences in the espousals and pursuits of the most Barbarous Villanies.

a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) VIII. vii. 188 The scene..is properly private revenge; not a zealous espousal of the publick injuries.

1753 H. Walpole in World 22 Feb. 46 Political reasons forbid the open espousal of his cause.

1888 W. Whitman in Cent. Mag. (1911) Dec. 254/2 John's letter appeals to me..because of its uncompromising red-blooded espousal of the book.

1932 R. Niebuhr Moral Man & Immoral Society iii. 80 It is not surprising that its espousal of the ideal of love..should be cynically judged.

1991 Afr. Affairs Oct. 582 His espousal of Nigerian nationalism before the creation of that colonial polity.

2006 USA Today (Nexis) 14 Apr. (Final ed.) (Life section) 3 d Some reporters tried to uncover contradictions between artists' espousal of the cause and their actual energy consumption.

B. adj.

= spousal adj. Somewhat rare.In some instances also interpretable as attributive use of the noun (see Compounds).

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > action or fact of marrying > [adjective]

bridelyOE

spousal?a1450

nuptial1490

espousal1583

sponsal1656

sponsalitious1656

internuptial1834

gamic1837

1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus (new ed.) sig. P A kingdome is as proper to an heire apparaunt by succession, as a wife to her husband by espousall promise.

1599 L. A. tr. M. Martínez Eighth Bk. Myrror of Knighthood xxix. sig. Mm2 They would assure all inconueniences, by an espousall contraction.

1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 80 Maximilians Ambassadour..put his Legge..betweene the Espousall Sheets.

1623 T. Powell Wheresoeuer you see Mee 16 Hee findes out an old vsurer of the same parish, father to diuers daughters, who catcht at espousall preferment.

1773 J. Ross Fratricide (MS) ii. 716 To whom thus Eve..Fraught with espousal tenderness replies.

1929 R. Bridges Test. Beauty i. 5 The nightingale..practiseth every phrase of his espousal lay.

2001 P. B. Taylor Gurdjieff & Orage x. 244 The manifestations of his filial and espousal love were mystifying.

Compounds

General attributive (chiefly in senses A. 1 and A. 1c).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > ring > [adjective] > type of ring

espousal1598

troth1844

1598 B. Yong tr. G. Polo Enamoured Diana in tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 392 We concluded that the espousall rites should bee solemnized in the citie of Lysbone.

1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions iv. vi. 455 A mutuall engagement of both parties that they will marry each other; which is most properly an espousall-contract.

1722 J. Bingham Origines Ecclesiasticæ IX. xxii. iii. 343 Any Woman who entred into an Espousal-Contract with a Governor of a Province.., was at perfect Liberty, when the Year was ended, whether she would fulfil the Contracts.

1858 Home Nov. 216/2 This gray hair is..Death's espousal gift to me.

1868 G. A. Lawrence Brakespeare iii. iii. 70 None the less merrily the espousal feast was held in Bordeaux.

1877 W. Jones Finger-ring Lore 107 The espousal-ring of King Hydaspes.

2004 F. Graziano Wounds of Love ix. 219 Colomba da Rieti..also experienced mystical marriage authenticated by an invisible espousal ring.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	espousal
释义	espousaln.adj. Brit. /ᵻˈspaʊzl/, /ɛˈspaʊzl/, U.S. /ᵻˈspaʊzəl/, /ɛˈspaʊzəl/, /ᵻˈspaʊsəl/, /ɛˈspaʊsəl/ Forms: Middle English espoisall, Middle English esposaile, Middle English esposels (plural), Middle English espousailles (plural), Middle English espousalys (plural), Middle English espousayls (plural), Middle English espousel, Middle English espouselx (plural), Middle English espowsailles (plural), Middle English espowsaylles (plural), Middle English–1500s espousaile, Middle English–1500s espousaylles (plural), Middle English–1600s espouselles (plural), 1500s espousails (plural), 1500s espousayle, 1500s espowsels (plural), 1500s–1600s espousall, 1500s–1600s espousels (plural), 1500s–1600s espowsal, 1500s–1600s espowsall, 1500s– espousal, 1600s esposals (plural). N.E.D. (1891) also records a form late Middle English espousayle. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French esposaile. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman esposaile, esposaille, esposale, espousail, espousel, espouselle, espusaile, espusaille, Anglo-Norman and Middle French espousaille (compare Old French esposaille , espusaille ; French (now rare and literary) épousaille ; chiefly in plural) celebration of a marriage or betrothal (second half of the 12th cent. in Old French; second half of the 13th cent. or earlier in figurative use with reference to symbolic marriage to God or Christ), married state, wedlock (second half of the 12th cent. in Anglo-Norman, 14th cent. in continental French) < classical Latin sponsālia , use as noun of neuter plural of sponsālis sponsal adj. Compare Old Occitan esposalhas , esposallas (13th cent.), Catalan esposalles (14th cent.), Spanish †esponsallas (late 14th cent.; esponsales subsequently from 17th cent.), plural nouns, and Old Occitan esporalha (end of the 13th cent.; transmission error). Compare earlier spousal n., and also sponsalia n.In sense A. 4 after espouse v. 4. In use as adjective probably reinforced by association with adjectives in -al suffix¹; compare also earlier spousal adj. A. n. 1. a. (a) The performance of a ceremony of marriage or (esp.) betrothal; = spousal n. 1a. Also as a count noun: a wedding or betrothal ceremony. Now somewhat rare (chiefly historical in later use).Not always clearly distinguishable from sense A. 1c. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > betrothal > [noun] truthc1300 betrothingc1315 truthingc1350 espousala1393 troth-plighta1393 desponsationa1400 troth-plightingc1400 ensurance1469 fiançailles1477 handfasting1483 assurancea1513 assuring1530 suring1530 contract1551 insurancea1556 trothing1565 despousage1570 betrothment1585 contracting1585 affiancing1596 spousage1596 espousage1599 handfasta1616 desponsories1645 hand-fastening1662 disposories1668 contraction1702 engagement1811 plightage1819 betrothal1844 heart-bond1887 introduction1965 kwanjula1973 society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > wedding or nuptials > [noun] wifethingeOE bridelopeOE brydthing971 bridelockOE bridalOE noces?c1225 wedlocka1300 spousingc1300 weddingc1300 marriagea1375 espousala1393 sponsalia1535 nuptial1566 espousing1581 nuptial1581 marriage rite1592 nuptiallings1600 Hymen1608 marriage ceremony1616 bridaltya1637 confarreation1645 hymeneals1655 farreation1656 church wedding1852 nuptialities1863 shadi1893 matrimonials1986 a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iv. l. 1498 (MED) What Maiden hire esposaile Wol tarie, whan sche take mai, Sche schal..Be let. 1588 A. Munday tr. Palmerin D'Oliua lv. sig. T5 I had a Daughter a yeere after our espousall. 1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) 25 His naming of a meet or like help in the first espousall instituted. 1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ iii. xxvi. 96 In the interim, the Earl was commanded not to deliver the foresaid Proxie of the Prince, for the desposories or espousall untill Christmas. 1797 J. Dallaway Constantinople xxii. 353 We..were present at a Greek espousal, a ceremony which engaged our curiosity. 1870 J. Timbs Abbeys, Castles, & Anc. Halls Eng. & Wales 502 The death of Toubert..occurred about three years after their espousal. 1902 Green Bag Nov. 543/1 Women in the primitive Christian times..had two sets of ceremonies for each marriage, the espousal or betrothing, and the actual wedding. 2007 L. Bell et al. Queen & Consort iii. 60/1 The pattern for Victorian Royal Family espousals was established by Queen Victoria's own wedding in 1840. (b) In plural in same sense. Chiefly historical in later use. ΚΠ 1430 in H. M. Flasdieck Mittelengl. Originalurkunden (1926) 94 (MED) After the espouselles solempnized by twene the seid Erle and Alice. 1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. avij/1 The fyrst nyght after the espousaylles..Clotyldis..said to the kyng. 1523 Act 14 & 15 Henry VIII c. 8 in Statutes of Realm (1963) III. 216 Every of them so maried may have..ther said offyce..as they dyd..before the said Espouselles. 1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 348/1 Though shee was not paste as then fyue yeares of age..hee caused the espousels by way of procuration to be solemnized with greate feastes and triumphes. 1641 Termes de la Ley. 39 Though it [sc. the child] were borne but one day after the espousels solemnized. 1721 E. Young Revenge i. i Is not the day then fix'd for your espousals? 1726 J. Ayliffe Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani 246 I shall here..define Espousals to be a mutual Promise of a future Marriage. 1779 N. W. Wraxall Let. 11 Feb. in Mem. Courts (1799) II. 160 Providence had decreed that the marriage should never be accomplished... During the interval between her espousals and the time for her quitting Vienna, her mother..insisted on [etc.]. 1816 J. T. James Jrnl. Tour iii. 317 This unfortunate nobleman was forced to marry a woman of low extraction, and his espousals were celebrated with..burlesque pomp. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 251 The multitude..drank in eagerly the tale of the secret espousals and the black box. 1912 Jewish Rev. Feb. 429 The Marriage Service has two parts in the Christian Church, espousals or spousage, and the Communion. 1921 J. J. C. Petrovits New Church Law on Matrimony 37 The absence of legal obligation on the part of the betrothed to give their respective bodies to each other by means of matrimony, deprives the espousals of the force of an impedient impediment. 2007 B. A. Hanawalt Wealth of Wives iv. 80 At the espousals, he settled a jointure of London property on her that yielded a yearly value of 10 marks. †b. The fact or state of being married or betrothed; the married state; wedlock; (also) the period during which a person remains married or betrothed. Sometimes in plural in same sense. Obsolete. to break one's espousal(s): = to break one's spousal at spousal n. 1b. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > [noun] bridelockOE yokeOE spousehooda1200 spousea1225 wedlock?c1225 wedlockhoodc1230 marriagec1300 spousal1340 matrimonya1382 espousala1393 muliera1400 spousagea1400 spouseheadc1400 weddedhooda1450 wedhooda1450 wedding1489 espousage1549 the bond(s of wedlock or matrimony1552 nuptial1566 bed-match1582 bob-tail1585 Hymen's banda1593 Hymen1608 married life1609 conjugality1645 marriage state1652 conjugacy1659 marriage life1662 establishment1684 shackledom1771 connubiality1836 connubialism1848 weddedness1891 bedlock1922 the tender trap1954 a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 5815 (MED) He..hadde his espousaile broke. 1431 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1431 §27. m. 5 Alianore..begetyn and born in espousels. 1528–30 tr. T. Littleton Tenures (new ed.) f. iii^v The thyrde parte of the tenementes, whiche were her husbandes durynge the espousels. 1545 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. New Test. (1548) Pref. 15 b Estate and dignitie of espousall and mariage. 1549 H. Latimer 1st Serm. before Kynges Grace sig. Cvii He had rather be sycke euen vnto death then he wold breake his espousels. 1745 C. Viner Gen. Abridgm. Law & Equity XXI. 124 Whether J. S. was an Alien and Bastard, or the Son of W. S. born in Espousals with A. 1888 C. F. Deems Gospel of Common Sense i. 20 His [sc. Joseph's] devoutly beautiful behavior under the trying circumstances of Mary's condition during their espousal. c. The action of marrying or (esp.) becoming engaged to someone (cf. espouse v. 1); the action of arranging the marriage or betrothal of one person to another (esp. of one's daughter to a particular man; cf. espouse v. 2b). Also as a count noun. Now chiefly historical. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > action or fact of marrying > [noun] eeOE weddingc1000 wivingOE contractc1315 marriagec1325 matrimony1357 unionc1475 maritagec1478 briding1566 espousal1566 match1574 intermarriage1579 despousing1609 espousement1623 nuptial1630 coupling1641 splice1830 intermarrying1843 contraction1885 yokemating1891 1566 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure I. xlvi. f. 278 Vouchsauing so much to abase your selfe to y^e espousal of so pore a Lady. 1595 W. Allen et al. Conf. Next Succession Crowne of Ingland i. vi. 132 The betrothing..is donne by wordes de futuro or for the time to come, and is not properly mariage, but espousal only. 1695 G. B. Faith by which we are Justified 45 The Espousal of a mean person to a Prince, is by his free Love. 1797 R. Heron New Gen. Hist. Scotl. III. v. i. 390 To violate his plighted faith in respect to the espousal of his daughter. 1846 Parl. Gazetteer Ireland, 1844–5 II. 364/1 The abbey lands..passed to Michael Cromie, Esq., by his espousal of Lady Gertrude, the daughter and heiress of Ford Lambart, fifth earl of Cavan. 1889 Amer. Jrnl. Philol. 10 348 The ardent knight, who serves incognito as cupbearer to his lady-love..his further adventures and exploits..his final declaration of himself and espousal of the lady—all of these are detailed..in the usual romance style. 1984 A. J. Podlecki Early Greek Poets & their Times ii. 47 An elaborate biographical myth grew up concerning a certain Lycambes' espousal of his daughter Neoboule to Archilochus. 2007 Brit. Art Jrnl. Winter 21/2 It is highly unlikely that the marriage of Allucius and his bride refers to Buckingham's espousal of Lady Catherine Manners. 2. figurative. A union or alliance of one thing or person to another, likened to a marriage or betrothal, esp. with reference to the idea of symbolic marriage to God or Christ. Also in plural in same sense. Cf. spousal n. 2. ΘΚΠ the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > [noun] > union of man with spousal1340 unition?a1425 espousal?c1450 the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > [noun] > close, intimate, or permanent joining spousal1340 weddingc1380 solding1398 marriagec1400 espousal?c1450 soldering?1550 marryinga1566 twist1580 suture1600 welding1603 ferrumination1606 cementation1836 cementing1868 ?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 147 Where as was made the espoisall [Fr. les espousailles], and the alyaunce and knyttynge of the godhede vnto the manhode. 1598 F. Meres tr. Luis de Granada Sinners Guyde i. xvi. 176 What other thing is to be wished of thee, then..that thou mayst receaue in this life, the pledge, and earnest of the diuine espousals? 1611 Bible (King James) Jer. ii. 2 Thus sayth the Lord, I remember thee, the kindnesse of thy youth, the loue of thine espousals . View more context for this quotation 1638 C. Aleyn Hist. Henrie VII 142 Your Marriage is their contract, and inferres Th' espousals of those Kingdomes. 1638 G. H. in R. Sibbes Brides Longing (new ed.) Ep. to Rdr. sig. A5 Wee must make sure our espousall to Christ here. 1673 E. Pearse Best Match ii. 22 Thus I have shewen you what this Espousal or Marriage-relation between Christ and Believers is. 1707 I. Watts Hymns & Spiritual Songs i. 69 Let every Act of Worship be Like our Espousals, Lord, to Thee. 1849 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1866) 1st Ser. iii. 44 In the first espousals of the soul. 1852 A. Jameson Legends Monastic Orders (ed. 2) Introd. p. xxii To solemnise the espousals of sanctity with poverty. 1855 J. H. Newman Callista xix We have possession of Him [sc. Christ]. It is an espousal for eternity. 1916 D. J. Murphy tr. J. Sicardo Life Sister St. Rita xvii. 82 On the night of..her espousals with her divine Fiance, through the three vows of religion, St. Rita was the recipient of a singular favor. 2009 G. Mangiaracina Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ 217 It is out of this experience of the soul's espousal to God through Christ that the soul will be able to live a life of service to her brothers and sisters. †3. An espoused person; a person's betrothed; a husband or wife. Obsolete.Quot. 1543 may belong at sense A. 1b. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > married person > [noun] > spouse, consort, or partner ferec975 matchOE makec1175 spousea1200 lemanc1275 fellowc1350 likea1393 wed-ferea1400 partyc1443 espouse?c1450 bedfellow1490 yokefellow?1542 espousal1543 spouse1548 mate1549 marrow1554 paragon1557 yokemate1567 partner1577 better halfa1586 twin1592 moiety1611 copemate1631 consort1634 half-marrow1637 matrimonya1640 helpmeet1661 other half1667 helpmate1715 spousie1735 life companion1763 worse half1783 life partner1809 domestic partner1815 ball and chain1921 lover1969 1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 18 To his espousaile [c1475 Harl. espouse], The dukes doughter of Melayn. 1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xxi. 765/1 I neither will nor intend to consent..vnto the said Lady Katherine as my espousall and wife. 1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes 2nd Pt. Don Quixote xxi. 137 Therefore take me, and I deliuer my selfe as thy espousall. 4. The action or an act of espousing or supporting a cause, party, opinion, course of action, etc. See espouse v. 4. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > [noun] > supporting or encouraging > specifically a cause, principle, etc. sustenance1387 friendliness1558 espousing1581 espousement1623 espousal1654 through-bearing1656 1654 J. Hall Of Govt. & Obed. iv. 462 The espousal of personal quarrels and injuries. 1674 W. Lloyd Difference Church & Court of Rome 34 The espousal and owning of this bloody Fact, after its execution. 1680 R. Ferguson Let. to Person of Honour conc. Kings Disavowing 13 They reckoned they had wrought him to such an espousal of his Brother. 1683 Addr. from Carmarthen in London Gaz. No. 1856/5 The Fanaticks pious pretences in the espousals and pursuits of the most Barbarous Villanies. a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) VIII. vii. 188 The scene..is properly private revenge; not a zealous espousal of the publick injuries. 1753 H. Walpole in World 22 Feb. 46 Political reasons forbid the open espousal of his cause. 1888 W. Whitman in Cent. Mag. (1911) Dec. 254/2 John's letter appeals to me..because of its uncompromising red-blooded espousal of the book. 1932 R. Niebuhr Moral Man & Immoral Society iii. 80 It is not surprising that its espousal of the ideal of love..should be cynically judged. 1991 Afr. Affairs Oct. 582 His espousal of Nigerian nationalism before the creation of that colonial polity. 2006 USA Today (Nexis) 14 Apr. (Final ed.) (Life section) 3 d Some reporters tried to uncover contradictions between artists' espousal of the cause and their actual energy consumption. B. adj. = spousal adj. Somewhat rare.In some instances also interpretable as attributive use of the noun (see Compounds). ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > action or fact of marrying > [adjective] bridelyOE spousal?a1450 nuptial1490 espousal1583 sponsal1656 sponsalitious1656 internuptial1834 gamic1837 1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus (new ed.) sig. P A kingdome is as proper to an heire apparaunt by succession, as a wife to her husband by espousall promise. 1599 L. A. tr. M. Martínez Eighth Bk. Myrror of Knighthood xxix. sig. Mm2 They would assure all inconueniences, by an espousall contraction. 1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 80 Maximilians Ambassadour..put his Legge..betweene the Espousall Sheets. 1623 T. Powell Wheresoeuer you see Mee 16 Hee findes out an old vsurer of the same parish, father to diuers daughters, who catcht at espousall preferment. 1773 J. Ross Fratricide (MS) ii. 716 To whom thus Eve..Fraught with espousal tenderness replies. 1929 R. Bridges Test. Beauty i. 5 The nightingale..practiseth every phrase of his espousal lay. 2001 P. B. Taylor Gurdjieff & Orage x. 244 The manifestations of his filial and espousal love were mystifying. Compounds General attributive (chiefly in senses A. 1 and A. 1c). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > ring > [adjective] > type of ring espousal1598 troth1844 1598 B. Yong tr. G. Polo Enamoured Diana in tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 392 We concluded that the espousall rites should bee solemnized in the citie of Lysbone. 1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions iv. vi. 455 A mutuall engagement of both parties that they will marry each other; which is most properly an espousall-contract. 1722 J. Bingham Origines Ecclesiasticæ IX. xxii. iii. 343 Any Woman who entred into an Espousal-Contract with a Governor of a Province.., was at perfect Liberty, when the Year was ended, whether she would fulfil the Contracts. 1858 Home Nov. 216/2 This gray hair is..Death's espousal gift to me. 1868 G. A. Lawrence Brakespeare iii. iii. 70 None the less merrily the espousal feast was held in Bordeaux. 1877 W. Jones Finger-ring Lore 107 The espousal-ring of King Hydaspes. 2004 F. Graziano Wounds of Love ix. 219 Colomba da Rieti..also experienced mystical marriage authenticated by an invisible espousal ring. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.adj.a1393
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