'Espousal' definitions:
Definition of 'espousal'
From: WordNet
noun
Archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast [syn: bridal, espousal]
noun
The act of becoming betrothed or engaged [syn: betrothal, espousal]
noun
The act of accepting with approval; favorable reception; "its adoption by society"; "the proposal found wide acceptance" [syn: adoption, acceptance, acceptation, espousal]
Definition of 'Espousal'
From: GCIDE
- Espousal \Es*pous"al\, n. [OF. espousailles, pl., F. ['e]pousailles, 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]
Synonyms of 'espousal'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- acceptance,
- adoption,
- advocacy,
- affiance,
- affiliation,
- aid,
- approval,
- banns,
- banns of matrimony,
- betrothal,
- betrothing,
- betrothment,
- bridal,
- bridal suite,
- bridechamber,
- chuppah,
- church wedding,
- civil ceremony,
- civil wedding,
- elopement,
- embracement,
- embracing,
- engagement,
- epithalamium,
- espousals,
- espousement,
- forced marriage,
- Gretna Green wedding,
- handfasting,
- honeymoon,
- hymen,
- hymeneal,
- hymeneal rites,
- marriage,
- marriage contract,
- mating,
- nuptial apartment,
- nuptial mass,
- nuptial song,
- nuptials,
- plighted faith,
- plighted troth,
- promotion,
- prothalamium,
- saffron veil,
- shotgun wedding,
- spousal,
- spousals,
- support,
- troth,
- union,
- wedding,
- wedding canopy,
- wedding song,
- wedding veil