ESPOUSE, v.t. espouz'. [L. spondeo, sponsus, the letter n, in the latter, must be casual, or the modern languages have lost the letter. The former is most probable; in which case, spondeo was primarily spodeo, sposus.]
1. To betroth.
When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph. Mat 1.
2. To betroth; to promise or engage in marriage, by contract in writing, or by some pledge; as, the king espoused his daughter to a foreign prince. Usually and properly followed by to, rather than with.
3. To marry; to wed.
4. To unite intimately or indissolubly.
I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Cor 11.
5. To embrace; to take to one's self, with a view to maintain; as, to espouse the quarrel of another; to espouse a cause.
