espousal

Etymology

From Middle English, from Old French espousailles, from Latin sponsalia (“a betrothal”), neuter plural of sponsalis, from spōnsus (“one betrothed, a spouse”); see spouse.

Noun

espousal (countable and uncountable, plural espousals)

1. A betrothal.
2. A wedding ceremony.
3. Adoption of a plan, cause, or idea.

Further reading

• espousal in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• espousal in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• espousal at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• sepalous