(n) the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception, Syn. espousal, acceptance, acceptation, Example:its adoption by society; the proposal found wide acceptance

betrothal

(n) the act of becoming betrothed or engaged, Syn. espousal

bridal

(n) archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast, Syn. espousal

bridal

(adj) of or relating to a wedding, Syn. spousal, nuptial, Example:bridal procession; nuptial day; spousal rites; wedding cake; marriage vows

domestic partner

(n) a person (not necessarily a spouse) with whom you cohabit and share a long-term sexual relationship, Syn. spousal equivalent, significant other, spouse equivalent

marriage

(n) the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce), Syn. wedlock, union, spousal relationship, matrimony, Example:a long and happy marriage; God bless this union

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)

Espousal

n. [ OF. espousailles, pl., F. épousailles, L. sponsalia, fr. sponsalis belonging to betrothal or espousal. See Espouse, and cf. Sponsal, Spousal. ] 1. The act of espousing or betrothing; especially, in the plural, betrothal; plighting of the troths; a contract of marriage; sometimes, the marriage ceremony. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The uniting or allying one's self with anything; maintenance; adoption; as, the espousal of a quarrel. [ 1913 Webster ]

The open espousal of his cause. Lord Orford. [ 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 ]

Japanese-English: EDICT Dictionary EDICT JP-EN Dictionary

信奉

[しんぽう, shinpou] (n, vs) belief; faith; adherence; espousal; (P)

配偶者虐待

[はいぐうしゃぎゃくたい, haiguushagyakutai] (n) spousal abuse

扶養料

[ふようりょう, fuyouryou] (n) alimony; spousal support; maintenance

German-English: TU-Chemnitz DING Dictionary DING DE-EN Dictionary