espousal

[ ih-spou-zuh l, -suh l ]
/ ɪˈspaʊ zəl, -səl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR espousal ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

adoption or advocacy, as of a cause or principle.
Sometimes espousals.
  1. a marriage ceremony.
  2. an engagement or betrothal celebration.

Origin of espousal

1275–1325; Middle English espousaille < Middle French, Old French espousailles < Latin spōnsālia (noun use of neuter plural of spōnsālis), equivalent to spōns(us) spouse + -ālia -al2

OTHER WORDS FROM espousal

non·es·pous·al, noun

Words nearby espousal

esplees, espn, espoo, esports, esposito, espousal, espouse, espressivo, espresso, esprit, esprit de corps

Words related to espousal

nuptials, matrimony, betrothal, marriage, bridal, troth, banns, nuptial, spousal

Example sentences from the Web for espousal

British Dictionary definitions for espousal

espousal
/ (ɪˈspaʊzəl) /

noun

adoption or support an espousal of new beliefs
(sometimes plural) archaic a marriage or betrothal ceremony