antenuptial
Americanadjective
Pronunciation
See nuptial.
Usage
What does antenuptial mean? Antenuptial means before marriage. The word prenuptial means the same thing and is much more commonly used. Prenuptial is especially used in the term prenuptial agreement, which refers to a legal contract entered into by a couple before marriage that specifies things like the division of their finances and assets, especially in case the marriage ends, such as through divorce. Prenuptial agreements are far more commonly referred to with the informal term prenup. The terms antenuptial agreement and antenuptial marriage contract mean the same thing as prenuptial agreement, but they are much less commonly used. The word antenuptial is sometimes used as a noun to refer to such contracts. Example: Everyone thought it was strange that we had an antenuptial agreement, but life is unpredictable.
Etymology
Origin of antenuptial
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.
To the parliament summoned in the 20th of Richard, one object of which was to legitimate the duke of Lancaster's antenuptial children by this lady, neither Gloucester nor Arundel would repair.
From View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 by Hallam, Henry
Statutes of 1889.—In the statutes of 1889 the law on antenuptial marriage agreements was altered to the advantage of the wife.
From Through Finland in Carts by Alec-Tweedie, Mrs. (Ethel)
It was given to me before my marriage, made legally over to me in my antenuptial contract.
From All the Days of My Life: An Autobiography The Red Leaves of a Human Heart by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston
Once inside the carriage, the women began a light, friendly chatter; smiles and laughter; little jests about Benedicks, about the servant question, about coming home late o' nights; antenuptial persiflage.
From Half a Rogue by MacGrath, Harold
A woman may contest her mantua-maker's bill with impunity, her antenuptial promises may go to protest and she remain unestopped; but let her leave a dinner-call overdue and unpaid, then is she shameless indeed.
From The Truth About Tristrem Varick A Novel by Saltus, Edgar
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.
