noun
Meaning 1
A betrothal.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
espousal
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/əˈspaʊzl̩/
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Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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rhymes with -aʊzəl
noun
Meaning 2
A wedding ceremony.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 3
Adoption of a plan, cause, or idea.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 4
the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- its adoption by society
- the proposal found wide acceptance
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: adoption, acceptance, acceptation
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: blessing, approval, approving
Narrower terms: embrace, bosom
noun
Meaning 5
the act of becoming betrothed or engaged
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: betrothal
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: ritual, rite
noun
Meaning 6
archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: bridal
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: marriage, wedding, marriage ceremony
History
Etymology
From Middle English espousal, espousaille, from Old French espousailles, from Latin sponsalia (“a betrothal”), neuter plural of sponsalis, from spōnsus (“one betrothed, a spouse”); see spouse. By surface analysis, espouse + -al.
Across languages
Translations
4 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Bulgarian: женитба (ženitba) — wedding ceremony
- Finnish: häät — wedding ceremony
- Finnish: omaksuminen — adoption of a plan
- Finnish: hyväksyminen — adoption of a plan