| Sponsal | a. [ L. sponsalis, fr. sponsus a betrothal, fr. spondere, sponsum, to betroth. See Spouse, and cf. Espousal, Spousal. ] Relating to marriage, or to a spouse; spousal. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Spousal | a. [ See Espousal, Sponsal, and Spouse. ] Of or pertaining to a spouse or marriage; nuptial; matrimonial; conjugal; connubial; bridal; as, spousal rites; spousal ornaments. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Spousal | n. [ See Espousal, Spouse. ] Marriage; nuptials; espousal; -- generally used in the plural; as, the spousals of Hippolita. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] Boweth your head under that blissful yoke . . . Which that men clepeth spousal or wedlock. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] The spousals of the newborn year. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ] |