espouse

[ ih-spouz, ih-spous ]
/ ɪˈspaʊz, ɪˈspaʊs /

verb (used with object), es·poused, es·pous·ing.

to make one's own; adopt or embrace, as a cause.
to marry.
to give (a woman) in marriage.

Origin of espouse

1425–75; late Middle English < Middle French espouser < Latin spōnsāre to betroth, espouse

OTHER WORDS FROM espouse

es·pous·er, noun un·es·poused, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for espouse

British Dictionary definitions for espouse

espouse
/ (ɪˈspaʊz) /

verb (tr)

to adopt or give support to (a cause, ideal, etc) to espouse socialism
archaic (esp of a man) to take as spouse; marry

Derived forms of espouse

espouser, noun

Word Origin for espouse

C15: from Old French espouser, from Latin spōnsāre to affiance, espouse