betrothal

[ bih-troh-th uh l, -traw-thuh l ]

/ bɪˈtroʊ ðəl, -ˈtrɔ θəl /

the act or state of being betrothed; engagement.

Origin of betrothal

First recorded in 1835–45; betroth + -al²

pre·be·troth·al, adjective

betoken, betony, betook, betray, betroth, betrothal, betrothed, betsiamites, betsiboka, betsy, betta

Princess Beatrice is widely thought to be on the point of announcing her betrothal to her boyfriend of six years, Dave Clark.

Is Prince Harry Going to Get Engaged? |Tom Sykes |August 28, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Even Joseph's confidence in her is shaken, so shaken that he must put her away and have the betrothal cancelled.

Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St Luke |Henry Burton
The betrothal is not considered to have any particularly binding force and either party may break through it.

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India |R. V. Russell
It appeared that this coin, with one like it, had been given as betrothal token for his daughter.

Silver Chimes in Syria |W. S. Nelson

Some Pattanavans allow a couple to live together as man and wife after the betrothal, but before the marriage ceremony.

Castes and Tribes of Southern India |Edgar Thurston
Very wisely he had refused to accept a bill for this sum; it had to be paid to him before the betrothal.

Solomon Maimon: An Autobiography. |Solomon Maimon

betrothal

/ (bɪˈtrəʊðəl) /

engagement to be married

a mutual promise to marry