EnglishEdit

EtymologyEdit

From Middle English spous, spouse, from Anglo-Norman espus m, espuse f and Old French espos m, espose f and by aphesis from Latin spōnsus m (bridegroom), spōnsa f (bride), from spondeō (I vow, pledge), from Proto-Indo-European *spend-. Displaced native Old English ġemaca.

Related to espouse and sponsor.

PronunciationEdit

  • (file)
  • IPA(key): /spaʊs/
  • Rhymes: -aʊs

NounEdit

spouse (plural spouses)

  1. A person in a marriage or marital relationship.
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:spouse
    Hyponyms: husband, wife
    People should treat their spouses with respect.

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TranslationsEdit

VerbEdit

spouse (third-person singular simple present spouses, present participle spousing, simple past and past participle spoused)

  1. (dated) To wed; to espouse.
    • 1819, John Keats, Otho the Great, Act III, Scene II, verses 212-214
      Do you stand possess’d
      Of any proof against the honourableness
      Of Lady Auranthe, our new-spoused daughter?

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