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espousal

 - 3 dictionary results

es⋅pous⋅al

  [i-spou-zuhl, -suhl]
Use espousal in a Sentence
–noun
1. adoption or advocacy, as of a cause or principle.
2. Sometimes, espousals.
a. a marriage ceremony.
b. an engagement or betrothal celebration.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME espousaille < MF, OF espousailles < L spōnsālia (n. use of neut. pl. of spōnsālis), equiv. to spōns(us) spouse + -ālia -al 2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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es·pous·al   (ĭ-spou'zəl, -səl)   
n.  

    1. A betrothal.

    2. A wedding ceremony.

  2. Adoption of an idea or a cause.


[Middle English espousaille, from sing. of Old French espousailles, betrothal, from Latin spōnsālia, from neuter pl. of spōnsālis, of a betrothal, from spōnsus, spouse; see spouse.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

espousal 
1393, from O.Fr. espousailles (pl.) "act of betrothal," from L. sponsalia, neut. pl. of sponsalis "of a betrothal," from sponsa "spouse." Espouse is 1435; extended sense of "adopt, embrace" (as a cause) is 1622. For the -e- see especially.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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