n. [ OF. espousaige, from espouser. See Spouse, v. t. ] Espousal. [ Obs. ] Bale. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. espous, espos, fem. espouse, F. époux, épouse, fr. L. sponsus, sponsa, prop. p. p. of spondere, sponsum, to promise solemnly, to engage one's self. Cf. Despond, Espouse, Respond, Sponsor. ] 1. A man or woman engaged or joined in wedlock; a married person, husband or wife. [ 1913 Webster ]

At last such grace I found, and means I wrought,
That I that lady to my spouse had won. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A married man, in distinction from a spousess or married woman; a bridegroom or husband. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

At which marriage was [ were ] no persons present but the spouse, the spousess, the Duchess of Bedford her mother, the priest, two gentlewomen, and a young man. Fabyan. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Espouse, and Spouse, n. ] To wed; to espouse. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

This markis hath her spoused with a ring. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Though spoused, yet wanting wedlock's solemnize. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

She was found again, and spoused to Marinell. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Adultery. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Destitute of a spouse; unmarried. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A wife or bride. [ Obs. ] Fabyan. [ 1913 Webster ]