Crossword clues for espousal
espousal
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Espousal \Es*pous"al\, n. [OF. espousailles, pl., F. ['e]pousailles, L. sponsalia, fr. sponsalis belonging to betrothal or espousal. See Espouse, and cf. Sponsal, Spousal.]
The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony.
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The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption; as, the espousal of a quarrel.
The open espousal of his cause.
--Lord Orford.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
late 14c., from Old French esposailles (plural) "act of betrothal" (12c., Modern French époussailles), from Latin sponsalia "betrothal, espousal, wedding," noun use of neuter plural of sponsalis "of a betrothal," from sponsa "spouse" (see espouse). For the -e- see e-. Figuratively, of causes, principles, etc., from 1670s.
Wiktionary
n. 1 A betrothal. 2 A wedding ceremony. 3 adoption of a plan, cause, or idea.
WordNet
n. archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast [syn: bridal]
the act of becoming betrothed or engaged [syn: betrothal]
the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception; "its adoption by society"; "the proposal found wide acceptance" [syn: adoption, acceptance, acceptation]
Usage examples of "espousal".
Since, therefore, by her Espousals this miracle would be less evident, it seems that it was unfitting that Christ should be born of an espoused virgin.
It was as if they themselves had decided with their parents that the hour for the espousals had struck, and that regret for their loss ought no longer to bar the joy of growth and increase.
By that much, Gately and the Soviet espousal of fervent gentlemanliness in pursuit of the Balanced Peace might have conspired to put the spritely little Georgian in more certain danger.
There had been that time, close to Robinton's espousal to Kasia, when Melongel had wondered if the drum messages, purported to be sent by Faroguy, had really originated with the old Lord.