connubial
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of connubial
First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin cōn(n)ūbiālis, equivalent to cōn(n)ūbi(um) “marriage” + -ālis adjective suffix; see origin at co-, nuptial, -al 1
Explanation
Use the adjective connubial to describe something that relates to marriage or to the relationship between spouses, such as connubial bliss or a connubial argument about who will take out the trash. Accent the second syllable in connubial: "ka-NEW-bee-ul." The Latin prefix con- means "together" and nubilis means "marriageable," which itself comes from nubere, meaning "take as husband." Nubere is also responsible for the word nubile, which was coined in the 1640s to describe a woman who was considered "marriage material." Today, it refers to a young, attractive woman.
Vocabulary lists containing connubial
Great Expectations
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Pride and Prejudice
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The Time Machine
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They held it possible to express moral lessons in the design of a garden, and abstract ideas, such as Chastity, Faith, Piety, Content, Calm, and Connubial Bliss.
From Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan Second Series by Hearn, Lafcadio
Connubial, kon-ū′bi-al, adj. pertaining to marriage or to the marriage state: nuptial.—n.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Connubial felicity they certainly achieved: and what else but an impertinence is a criticism of the means?
From Jaffery by Locke, William John
Though Julia's engagement Was for the stage meant— It certainly frees Ludwig from his Connubial promise.
From The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan by Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), Sir
The tender pity she would oft display Shall be with interest at her shrine returned, Connubial love, connubial tears repay, And Lucia loved shall still be Lucia mourned.
From From Sea to Sea Letters of Travel by Kipling, Rudyard
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
