betroth

[ bih-trohth, -trawth ]

/ bɪˈtroʊð, -ˈtrɔθ /

to arrange for the marriage of; affiance (usually used in passive constructions): The couple was betrothed with the approval of both families.

Archaic. to promise to marry.

Origin of betroth

1275–1325; Middle English betrouthe, variant of betreuthe ( be- be- + treuthe truth; see troth)

1 engage, promise, pledge, plight.

The marriage itself is purely moral: I will betroth her to Me in righteousness and justice, in leal love and tender mercies.

The Expositor's Bible: The Book of the Twelve Prophets, Vol. I |George Adam Smith
I will betroth her to your nephew, my beloved Montagu's son.

The Last Of The Barons, Complete |Edward Bulwer-Lytton
But before permitting you to go I wish, not having been able to wed you myself, to betroth you to the one you have chosen.

Honey-Bee |Anatole France
It was also found to be a part of the scheme to betroth the infant king of Scots to a daughter of the duke of Norfolk.

Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth |Lucy Aikin

I went there not to meet death, but to betroth myself to it.

Mauprat |George Sand

betroth

/ (bɪˈtrəʊð) /

(tr) archaic to promise to marry or to give in marriage

C14 betreuthen, from be- + treuthe troth, truth